FIGHT LIKE A GIRL: CAROLINE DUBOIS
- likeagirlmagazine
- May 8, 2019
- 4 min read
In conversation with Caroline Dubois, the young fighter breaking down stereotypes and dominating youth boxing.
“I first realised I wanted to box at nine-years-old”, said Caroline Dubois, who is now 18-years-old and undefeated in her sport. Inspired by her older brother Daniel Dubois, who is a British professional boxer competing in the heavyweight division, Caroline knew she was born to be a fighter after her and her family would all sit and watch her brothers fight tapes. Caroline said, “The whole family would watch and there was an excitement whenever Daniel fought. I did a lot of sports before, but none of them really were that fun and exciting compared to boxing.”
Caroline is seen as possibly the best youth fighter in the world after a very successful 12 months last year. In a matter of months she won gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, won gold at the World Youth Championships and remains undefeated in 35 fights. But Caroline’s road to boxing didn’t come without challenges, the first being denied to train for the sport she loves due to her being a girl.
When asked what her families first reactions were, the young boxer said, “My family were really supportive to be honest, allowing a nine-year-old daughter to box must have been harder than I realised. I think my Dad was a little unsure at first if I was being serious or just saying I wanted to box because my brother did. I think it showed because he kept delaying taking me to the gym even though I kept asking.” When Caroline’s Dad finally gave in to his daughter’s determination to begin training, he agreed to take her to the gym that her older brother trained at. “When he first saw me box I think he was sold and has been supporting me ever since –– the best Dad really.” But there was now only one obstacle in her path to becoming the best youth boxer in the world: she was a girl.
To be allowed to train at the boxing club Caroline had to pretend to be a boy named Colin. “The story about me being called Colin is true and happened only because the club my brother was in at the time didn’t allow female boxers and didn’t really want no part of it either,” remembered Caroline. “So in order for me to train, I had to pretend to be a boy and tell anyone who asked my name was Colin. I’m surprised no-one ever realised since whenever my Dad called me in the gym he always called me Caroline.”
But Caroline decided to stop being Colin when she ultimately moved to a different club. “From there we went to Dale Youth Boxing Club. At first the head coach was a little hesitant to take me and said he can’t take me because I wouldn’t be able to spar the boys or keep up with training. But I did one spar and straight after the coach said to come back the next day,” said Caroline. “That was the start of my female boxing career.”
The young fighter has now been recognised for the talented boxer that she is, regardless of her gender. Tony Bowers, whose brother coaches Daniel Dubois in the same gym, deemed Caroline “one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen” in a conversation with BBC Radio 5 live analyst Bunce. The comments are beginning to break down the stereotype of successful boxers only being male, which is something Caroline always knew she was going to achieve. Caroline said, “It feels great for people to see me and feel that way about me, but if i’m honest it’s something my Dad has been telling me for a very long time. It’s just up to me to prove myself to everyone, even those who said I didn’t belong and couldn’t do it. I’ve made them have to eat their own words since I have gone and achieved more than top boys ever will.”
After an already extremely successful year for the young boxer she also went on to win the SportsAid One to Watch award in 2018. The award has been won by many successful athletes when they were youths, making the win a very special moment for Caroline and her dream. “It felt amazing to win the SportsAid One to Watch because I knew everyone that had won it before were great athletes and had gone on to do amazing things. Also the people that were in the top three that I beat have competed at very high levels so to win made me feel really good.”
With a lot of pressure to continue her undefeated career Caroline shares what motivates her the most before each one of her fights. “To keep winning and doing myself and my family proud is definitely one of my biggest motivations. Also I would love to go to the 2020 Olympics and win gold and one of the only ways I can guarantee that is to keep winning.”
Caroline’s biggest inspirations in boxing are her older brother, Daniel, and two-time Olympian Claressa Shields. Although her brother made the decision to have a professional career straight away, Caroline has a dream
to win gold at the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 and so will continue to train as an amateur boxer in order to fight at the Olympics. When speaking to Caroline about her hopes for the next two years ahead, her determination is clear as she recalls her plan that will lead to her gold medal; “This year hopefully I can win the European again and then get on GB full time. Then go to the Olympic qualifiers in the beginning of 2020, and then hopefully go to the Olympics and get the gold medal.”
As a young female boxer, Caroline has broken down the stereotype that girls can’t box by taking on the brave challenge of proving herself as the natural born fighter she is. Although she faced many hurdles as a nine-year-old girl, with a dream of becoming a boxer, she has never given up on her destiny despite what anyone has said about her. Caroline shares the best thing any young athlete hoping to achieve their dreams can do, “You need self belief and not care about what anyone says or thinks because there is really no point going through life with regrets. Finally, really enjoy boxing because it can take you places you have never been before.”
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