Caroline Dubois reveals she has only had ONE drugs test since turning professional last year… as the former Olympian urges promoters and governing bodies to do more to make boxing safer and ‘expose’ cheats

Caroline Dubois was shocked by the lack of drug testing in boxing after revealing she had only been tested once since turning professional last year.

Performance-enhancing drugs in sports have been thrust into the spotlight after a series of positive tests in recent months, with Dillian Whyte, Robert Helenius and undisputed women’s super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner all returning tests with results unfavorable analysis.

This follows Conor Benn failing two drug tests ahead of his canceled fight with Chris Eubank Jr last year.

All four boxers involved deny deliberate use, but Dubois believes boxing may have a problem when it comes to drug testing.

The 2021 Olympian says she was tested regularly as an amateur, but that changed dramatically when she moved to the professional ranks.

There have been several positive doping tests in boxing recently, with Robert Helenius (pictured) returning an ‘adverse analytical finding’ after losing to Anthony Joshua last month.

“I remember when I was an amateur, I got tested every two weeks. Before the Olympics, I remember being tested twice in one week, it was a crazy amount of tests,” Dubois told Mail Sport.

“Because of that mentality of coming from a very tested environment, I knew where I was, I put my location in, I had to record it every day, going to the pros, I just had that naive mentality.

“I was just like, ‘Why are you doing drugs?’ Who takes drugs? I just couldn’t understand that there were people trying to cheat, trying to do things illegally, I just couldn’t understand.

“But only now I’m seeing people (test positive) like Robert Helenius who fought AJ, Dillian Whyte, Alycia Baumgardner, Conor Benn, it’s just starting to open up, it may actually be a problem.

“I hope this is just a phase in the sense that people who are taking it are just being exposed now.”

“But going from amateur when you get tested every two weeks, a guarantee that you’re going to get tested, I think I’ve only been tested once since I’ve been pro.”

It’s no secret that drug testing is expensive, with promoters often citing this as a reason for not having it in place on all their cards.

But Dubois insists it is a necessary expense and called on promoters and governing bodies to show greater willingness to protect fighters.

“The organizations, the promoters, they have to put their hand in their pocket and sort it out,” Dubois said.

Dubois wants promoters like Eddie Hearn (left) and Ben Shalom (right) to do more to ensure more is done to protect fighters when it comes to drug testing

“It’s their job to police boxing, govern it and govern it properly.” All these organizations need to do a better job because sometimes there are these fighters fighting for world titles, and they don’t get paid a lot of money so they can’t afford to pay for VADA (Voluntary Anti – Anti-Doping Association).

“So I think it should rely a little more on the promoters and the organizations. They need to get their hands on their money to ensure the sport is clean and safe for everyone who participates.

“Whether you get paid well or receive small amounts, it has to be safe for all fighters.”

Dubois is back in action on September 30 when she headlines the iconic York Hall against Mexico’s Magali Rodriguez, with the IBO lightweight title on the line.

The 22-year-old has won her last five fights by knockout to improve to 6-0 and admitted she has adapted her style to stalk her opponents in the professional ranks.

“I feel like my style has changed a lot. If you look at how I boxed as an amateur, I was never really out to stop people, win by knockout or hurt people in the amateurs,” she added.

“I was just focused on winning points, getting in and out, not getting hit, dancing around the ring and that was my style.” I was a good counter puncher, had a really good jab and didn’t really fight inside. I just boxed a lot on the outside, counterpunching, waiting for that.

“Whereas now I’m a little more aggressive, a little more forefoot, really good inside, and I think I’m blossoming now. I feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations, when you’re rustling and arguing inside, when it gets complicated, stuff like that and I feel a little more comfortable with that.

“Instead of being desperate to get outside and keep it clean, I can get in there and cry too.”

Women’s boxing is booming, with Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron set to face off in a highly anticipated rematch in the weight class over Dubois in November, while former titleholder Mikaela Mayer moves up to welterweight.

Dubois (right) is back in action at the end of the month when she headlines York Hall

Dubois is ready to move up in weight to compete against Katie Taylor (left) and Chantelle Cameron (right) in the future.

Dubois is eager to compete against the best and is ready to put on weight to do so.

“I believe in and support my abilities. I have no problem with the weights. I think I’ve competed against women of all weights,” she said.

“I prefer to fight heavier women and I like to fight heavier women.” I always box a little better when I have a little more energy in me, so I have no problem jumping up and down. I think most women won’t. I’m 22, I’m so young, I have this freshness and this ability to go back.

“If the time comes and there’s a big fight and there’s an opportunity, you better believe I’ll take it.”