Jessica Camara went nose-to-nose with Caroline Dubois after weighing in for their WBC lightweight world title fight.
The Canadian challenger bored forward before Dubois held her back with Camara snapping: “Don’t disrespect me!” after the two had been separated.
Dubois will be making her first defence of the WBC championship on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
The champion warned: “This isn’t the end for me. This is just the start.
“She’s a pebble in my shoe right now and I’ve got to kick her out the way.”
WBC lightweight world champion Dubois holds back Camara
But Camara responded: “She ain’t going to do [anything].
“I have what it takes to do it and that’s what I’m going to do.
“She believes in herself. I believe in myself,” she added. “I felt a little disrespected today so I just showed her what’s up.”
Dubois though took all that as a sign of weakness. “I see fear to be honest. I see a lot of fear, I see a lot of nerves,” she said afterwards.
Both fighters made weight for their world championship clash at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, with Camara 9st 8lbs and Dubois 9st 8lbs 5oz. The fight, with an added edge of ferocity, is on.
Caroline Dubois speaks of ‘pushing boundaries’ ahead of her upcoming WBC lightweight title defence against Jessica Camara in Sheffield.
Callum Simpson and Steed Woodall also made weight for their British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title bout, the former 11st 13lbs and the latter on the 12st limit precisely.
“I’m ready for a 15 round war if need be,” Woodall warned the champion. “I’m in phenomenal shape, ready to go.
“Records are for DJs, it means nothing to me,” he continued. “All that matters is me and Callum in the ring.”
Hugely popular in his Barnsley hometown, Simpson’s supporters made themselves heard at the weigh-in at Cutlers Hall.
“It’s not just my journey, it’s our journey, They’ve supported me since day one,” Simpson beamed. “It’s a dream come true.
“It doesn’t matter about challenger, champion, my mindset’s always the same, to become the best I can become,” he continued.
“I believe the best Callum Simpson beats the best Steed Woodall.
“I’ve worked very hard to get these [titles], I’m going to work very hard to keep them… They’re going to be staying in Yorkshire.”
Speaking ahead of her first defence of the WBC lightweight belt, Caroline Dubois questioned her upcoming opponent Jessica Camara’s fight record and believes she will knock the Canadian out when they meet on Saturday.
Another exciting contest on the bill pits unbeaten cruiserweight Scott Forrest against ambitious Londoner Deevorn Miller.
After weighing in at 14st 4lbs, the exact same as Miller, Forrest subjected his opponent to an intense staredown.
Smiling afterwards, Miller, predicting his own victory by stoppage, said: “We’ll see tomorrow. The talk is done.
“The cruiserweight division’s popping so there’s a lot to like.”
Forrest, a knockout puncher in imposing condition, maintained the same intensity, declaring: “He can say what he wants, but don’t blink because he’s getting splattered.”
Forrest and Miller promise to be in an exciting cruiserweight clash
Scotland’s Sam Hickey will open the televised bill, in a tricky second pro fight against Lewis Howells.
Ready to make a mark on the professional sport, former amateur star Hickey said: “It’s a different kind of energy. This guy’s coming for me. I just need to stop him and put an end to what he can do.”
Watch Callum Simpson defend his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles against Steed Woodall on Saturday live on Sky Sports.
