The Level Up
The London-based athlete speaks to us in the lead up to her first major fight.
Here, boxer Caroline Dubois discusses her journey so far and how her sport can become more inclusive.
Boxing was by no means a straightforward career choice for Caroline Dubois.
But none of them felt quite right.
Finally he relented and took me to the gym for the first time.
After one session, she was hooked.
I thought, Why would anyone not want to box?
She knew almost immediately that she wanted to turn her passion into a career.
You posed as a boy when you were younger to get into certain boxing clubs.
Can you tell me about that experience?
When I was there, we had to pretend I was a boy.
From that day onwards, my dad stood by me.
Any club we went to, he would say Shes a girl and shes amazing, just watch her.
If you dont like what you see then well leave and go to another club.
I later went to Dale Youth Boxing Club, where I met the coach Gary Miguinness.
He said she wont be able to keep up, she cant spar with the boys.
No one really said anything after that and, once I was winning titles, I was accepted.
Boxing for women in the UK as a sport was illegal until 1998.
Do you feel like growing up you had role models you could relate to in the boxing world?
Most of my role models in the beginning were men.
Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Haggler, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis.
All male fighters but so good that I respected them nonetheless.
Claressa I can relate to.
I loveher storyand that shes been herself and not cared if people like her or not.
Thats who she is.
You may also be a role model as well now for the next generation of female boxers.
Its a responsibility I need to take in my stride.
How do you feel boxing as a sport can become more inclusive for women?
Time, I think.
It doesnt have to only be running or gymnastics, it could be boxing as well.
Weve seen in the last several months a few Black female athletes in particularpioneering positive mental health in sport.
Is this important to you as an athlete?
The body is only as strong as the mind.
In boxing, the strongest or quickest or fastest or fittest person doesnt always win.
What was it like competing in the Tokyo Olympics last summer?
The Olympics was a great tournament, very challenging and competitive.
Its something I will always remember.
I can say, I did that, I went, I qualified.
Youre due to have your first professional fight on February 5.
Do you think it will feel different competing on a professional level?
They told me Im going to love it.
This article was originally published onJan.
