Terri Harper accuses Caroline Dubois of 'disrespect' as she promises her 'sweetest victory' before tense face-off
Caroline Dubois faced off with Terri Harper ahead of their lightweight world championship clash, while Catford's Ellie Scotney looks to make British boxing history; watch the Dubois vs Harper and Scotney vs Flores bill live on Sky Sports on Sunday April 5
Friday 6 February 2026 14:23, UK
Caroline Dubois continued to wage psychological war with rival Terri Harper at the launch press conference ahead of their April 5 world title unification, live on Sky Sports.
The two Britons both hold lightweight world championships, Dubois the WBC titlist and Harper with the WBO 135lb belt. They will box to unify at Kensington's Olympia on Sunday April 5.
Their rivalry, though, is becoming increasingly personal, with Dubois heaping "disrespect" on Harper's accomplishments, as the three-division champion sees it.
- 'Pathetic!' Dubois confronts Harper after fiery head-to-head
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That has prompted the normally softly-spoken Harper to declare: "This fight isn't about the belts. For me I just want to fight Caroline. That will be the sweetest victory of my career.
"She's massively overlooking me and thinks it's going to be an easy night."
At once the Londoner snapped back: "It is going to be an easy night.
"I think she doesn't believe the words coming out of her mouth."
Dubois interrupted Harper through the press conference and continued to speak to her as they faced off afterwards. Harper, the taller fighter, glared down at Dubois but then turned away and Dubois stepped into her space to pose for the cameras.
"I know I'm going to get past this fight. I believe I'm going to smash her up," Dubois said ominously. "I can't wait.
"This is the start of my future, of my legacy, of my greatness and I'm going all the way.
"I called her irrelevant because I believe she is. My legacy starts with becoming undisputed in the lightweight division. Unfortunately for Terri she's the one holding the belt."
Harper remains a proud champion and the jibes from her opponent have motivated her further.
"For me it's the disrespect from Caroline," the WBO titlist said. "She's doing a great job at selling the fight, she's doing my job for me. I'm just being my authentic self.
"All this means nothing it's what happens on the night."
Harper has lost before, rebuilt and comeback. The more experienced of the pair, she intends to humble Dubois.
"My engine and my work-rate, she's not going to be able to match it," she said. "I had to learn the hard way and I believe she's doing that too."
Catford's three-belt world super-bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney is looking to make history on the bill when she fights Mexico's Mayelli Flores. If she is victorious, Scotney will become the youngest British undisputed world champion ever in the four-belt era.
"I remember when I was waiting for my shot and how long it took," Scotney said. "Here in front of me is the final piece of the puzzle.
"Whenever I pictured fighting for undisputed it was always at home. To be back home boxing in Britain, with Sky Sports, I'm just grateful.
"It's a bit different when you come from south London, you've got to work a little bit harder and you appreciate it a little bit more."
Watch the Dubois vs Harper and Scotney vs Flores bill live on Sky Sports on Sunday April 5.
