CAROLINE DUBOIS is eyeing a world title shot by next year after punching her way into boxing stardom.
But it has been a long road for the 22-year-old, who had to hide her true identity when first picking up the gloves.
Caroline Dubois during her amateur days
Daniel Dubois with sister Caroline
Caroline Dubois is a star of women’s boxing
Dubois was inspired to box at the age of nine by her older brother Daniel but she faced a fight to fit in from the off.
So much so that she pretended to boy and called herself Colin.
Dubois told SunSport: “When I turned up and my dad finally agreed to let me go, he was like, ‘You’re going to have to say you’re a boy, they’re not going to let you in. They’re not going to accept you.’
“At first, I wasn’t sure if he was being serious but I went there and there were only boys, there was a different intensity.
“I’ve done so many different sports, running, swimming, gymnastics but when you come into the clubs for training there’s a nice, light attitude, it’s very relaxed and chilled out.
“But when I walked into the boxing gym there was a different intensity, I knew straight away that maybe there was something here.
“I had to say my name was Colin. When I did finally tell them I was a girl, at first they didn’t want to let me back in the club, they didn’t want to except me.
“But now, there’s loads of females, loads of national champions. It’s really changed a lot.”
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Dubois went on to win European and world championship honours in the amateurs before representing Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics.
But during the early stages of her career in the paid ranks, activity was her greatest opponent.
Dubois said: “It was very hard. As an amateur, I wasn’t getting any fights.
“I’d be getting straight finals in tournaments where usually others would be fighting five or six times, I was fighting just one time.
“It was definitely hard. Back in the day, if you had a daughter putting them into boxing was the last on the list.
“But now it’s opened up, parents want to put their kids into boxing as it’s a form of self defence, it makes you feel more confident.
“Loads of parents are seeing it as something their daughters can be doing too, so I’m very happy to be a part of this movement and this change.”
Caroline Dubois won gold in junior European and world championships
She went on to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics
Dubois – trained by Shane McGuigan – at 6-0 is racing up the ranks and closing in on a world title shot despite only turning pro last year.
So finding willing sparring partners for the lightweight – who has won all but one of her fights by knockout – is becoming difficult.
She said: “It’s been an absolute nightmare, Shane will tell you.
“We were actually just talking about it the other day, who’s it hardest to get sparring for.
“And one of my coaches, Josh Pritchard, said it’s me because you’ve got to get it right.
“I’d spar any girl and any weight, it doesn’t matter if they’re heavier or whatever. But they’re just not turning up, they’re not coming.
“They don’t want to spar because it’s hard sparring and it’s hard work.So it’s like OK, either you don’t spar or you get in with the men.
Caroline Dubois is coached by Shane McGuigan
Coach Shane McGuigan with Caroline Dubois
“It’s very hard but it’s good, it’s what’s going to push me forward and make me better.
“For this camp, I think I’ve just been sparring boys. It’s been hard but it’s been good.”
Dubois returns on June 16 against 13-2 Argentine Carmen Lescano.
And she hopes it will be another stepping stone on her way to climbing up the world title ladder.
Dubois said: “Female fighters, we got world title shots a lot quicker.
“Looking back, Katie Taylor fought for a world title in her seventh fight, I’m in my sixth fight so I’m not far behind.
“I feel like I’m progressing really well in the gym and even though I may not have been able to show it in the ring so far, I’m putting the progression in, I’m working ever day, I’m training very hard.
“I’m putting in the ground work to make sure when the time comes, I’ll be ready for it. I’m aiming for five fights this year.
“I’ve already had one, I’ve got four more, one on June 16th and then another two and hopefully by the fifth one I get a massive real acid test.
“Then hopefully I’ll fight for a world title next year.”
Caroline Dubois is eyeing a world title shot next year
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I learn how to defend myself against boxing?
Boxing is one the oldest martial arts known. Boxing is also one of most difficult sports to learn. You cannot just punch someone in his face and then knock him out. You have to be able to defend yourself against kicks and punches.
Find a local boxing gym. After you have found a great place to train, you will need gloves and headgear. Gloves protect the hands while headgear protects the head. Also, you will need to wear shorts with a T-shirt.
Once you’ve gathered all your equipment, it’s time for you to start warming up. You can start slowly and then increase speed gradually. Start sparring with another boxer when you feel confident. If you fail, don’t be discouraged. Just try again until you nail it.
How can I increase my defense against fighting?
It is possible to improve your defensive capabilities by learning how smart you fight. It is important to know how to defend yourself against all types of attacks, as well as how to counterattack when necessary.
If you don’t know how fight, you won’t be ready for anything. You’ll just get beaten up. You’ll just get beat up if you know how fight.
Here are some ways to improve your defense.
- Know where your opponent’s attack is coming from. This means that you need to pay close attention and observe your opponent’s body language. If your opponent appears nervous, it could mean that he’s about to attack again.
- Stay calm. Don’t panic. Instead, stay focused and relaxed.
- Block with your arms. It is simple and effective to defend yourself from attacks by blocking your arms.
- Counterattack. Counterattack.
- Fight dirty. Fighting dirty is another method to defend yourself. You can also respond to an opponent’s kicks by kicking them back.
How to defend yourself
You must protect your head whenever you are attacked. You want to avoid being punched. You must know how to stop an incoming punch. Here’s what to do:
- Stand tall and square yourshoulders.
- Keep your elbows straight up.
- Block the punch from coming with your forearm.
- Counterattack immediately.
- Keep blocking until the attacker flees.
- Never give up on your defense.
How do I practice boxing alone?
You can practice boxing by watching professional matches on TV, even if your partner is not available. Or you can find an amateur boxing club near you. Amateur boxing clubs hold regular training sessions. These sessions typically include sparring partners that hit pads together.
You can also train boxing with punching bags. Just make sure that you’re wearing protective gear such as boxing gloves before hitting the bag.
Statistics
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
External Links
expertboxing.com
boxandflow.com
How To
How to setup a Boxing Gym at my House
People who are looking to start their own business often ask how to set up a boxing club. Many people want to know how much they should spend on equipment and what size space is required. How many employees are needed? There are many factors that affect the cost of starting your own business. These factors include the location, type, number of employees and marketing budget. But one thing that most people forget is the importance of having good equipment. You cannot start if there isn’t the equipment. Here are some tips for setting up a boxing school in your home.
- Training should be done in a safe environment. Anyplace you can train is fine, whether it’s in your garage, basement, spare or living area. The only requirement is that there must be enough space to set up the equipment.
- A punching bag (or more) is essential. This is vital because you won’t have the ability to practice punches without it. It could be anything you like, from a simple plastic bag to a sturdy leather bag. It should be big enough that you can comfortably carry it. You should also ensure it is durable and strong so it can last many years.
- You will need a pad. When practicing kicks, mats are used to protect walls and floors. It is usually made of foam rubber. These products can be ordered online or offline.
- A bench is essential. You can use a bench to support your body when you are doing pushups. You can buy them online or in-store. However, make sure that you choose the right size for you.
- A speedbag is required. Speedbags help you develop quick hand movements. You can purchase them online or in-store. Be sure to buy quality products that last.
- A headgear is essential. You need a headgear to protect your head while sparring. It can be bought online or in-store. You should ensure that the product you select fits your face well.
- Gloves are essential. Gloves are used to protect your hands during sparring sessions. They can be ordered online or at local shops. Find the right pair for you.
- A mouthpiece is required. Mouthpieces can be used to protect your smile during sparring sessions. You can purchase these online or offline stores. Again, choose a pair that suits your style and needs.
- You will need a ring. Rings can be used for simulating real fights. They can be purchased offline or online stores. Make sure that it has padding on both sides so that you aren’t injured during sparring sessions.
- Towels are essential. To wipe away sweat after each session, towels are necessary. You can find them at your local sporting goods shop or online. Make sure that they’re soft and absorbent.
