Caroline Dubois
Caroline Dubois floored and bloodied Terri Harper before outpointing her British rival to become the unified lightweight world champion at London’s Olympia.
After a dull first half of the contest, Dubois dropped Harper with a classy jab and left hook in the sixth round.
Doncaster’s Harper, who suffered a nasty cut after a clash of heads in the eighth, showed great spirit to continue throwing until the final round.
The judges scored the fight 98-91, 97-92 and 98-91 to Dubois, who adds Harper’s WBO belt to her WBC title.
“Terri had a good showing and showed why she is a very good boxer,” Dubois told Sky Sports.
“From my side it was never personal; it was personal for Terri. I am a fighter and an entertainer. I put myself out there to show up for you guys, and talk the talk to be entertaining.
“That is why this fight was the most talked about.
“I felt like I started really well. Terri was very negative and we knew she was going to be. It was tricky to get her.”
The event marked the first United Kingdom show staged by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) as Londoner Dubois extended her unbeaten record to 13 wins and one draw.
Harper – a three-weight world champion – drops to 16 wins, three defeats and two draws.
The fight had been a long time coming, and the rivalry had grown increasingly tense in the build-up. Dubois repeatedly questioned Harper’s achievements and credentials, while Harper shoved Dubois during a fiery media face-off earlier in the week.
By the halfway stage, however, the contest had not quite lived up to the hype, with Dubois edging the rounds through steady work to the body.
Then, suddenly, the fight came alive. Dubois set up a knockdown with a sharp double jab followed by a left hook, sending Harper to the canvas.
Harper rose to her feet as Dubois leapt in celebration, prompting the referee to warn her for failing to return to her corner.
Dubois increased the pressure. She landed thudding southpaw left hands in the seventh and eighth as blood began to drip from a cut on the inside of ‘Belter’ Harper’s left eye.
Watching from ringside was pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields, shouting encouragement for Dubois.
A strong combination from Dubois in the ninth suggested a stoppage might be imminent, but Harper rallied to land shots to Dubois’ head in the 10th and final round.