Caroline Dubois dominates and retains title but bout ends in technical draw after head clash

SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Caroline Dubois scored a first-round knockdown and retained her WBC lightweight title against Jessica Camara despite the bout ending in a technical draw due to an accidental clash of heads Saturday.

Dubois, whose older brother Daniel is the IBF heavyweight champion, dominated in her first title defense, which ended just after the bell rang to start the third round.

Camara’s right eye was swollen from punches and the Canadian was bleeding from a cut above her left eye — the result of an accidental clash of heads in the second round.

“I don't think she wanted it,” Dubois said. “The blood wasn't coming in her face, it was coming around the side of her face — she didn't want it, man.”

Dubois (10-0-1) was in full control when the referee called a timeout. The ringside doctor ruled that the 36-year-old Camara (14-4-1) could not continue.

Because it was under four rounds, the bout was declared a technical draw.

Dubois immediately called for a fight against WBO champion Terri Harper.

“Terri Harper, that’s who I want,” she said.

Dubois said she wants to be the undisputed lightweight champion by the end of 2025. Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil holds the IBF belt, and the WBA belt is vacant.

Shane McGuigan, Dubois’ trainer, said she has the talent to win titles at multiple weight classes.

“She’s the best female fighter on the planet, by a mile,” McGuigan said.

AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing

The referee calls the fight as Jessica Camara stands in a corner after losing to Caroline Dubois in a WBC world lightweight championship boxing match at the Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, England, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP)

Jessica Camara is tended too in her corner during a WBC world lightweight championship boxing match against Caroline Dubois at the Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, England, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP)

Boxer Caroline Dubois celebrates after the WBC World Lightweight Championship contest against Jessica Camara at the Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, England, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP)

Caroline Dubois, right, punches and Jessica Camara during a WBC world lightweight championship boxing match at the Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, England, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP)

Caroline Dubois, right, punches and Jessica Camara during a WBC world lightweight championship boxing match at the Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, England, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Conn Smythe favorite Mitch Marner had a natural hat trick in the second period to help the Vegas Golden Knights build a four-goal lead over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The 4-0 advantage didn't last, with Carolina cutting it 4-3 midway through the third.

Tomas Hertl broke a scoreless tie midway through the second, after Vegas opened the stanza by having two goals overturned by challenges.

Marner’s first goal came when he gathered a loose puck near the boards and fired a backhander into the crease, where Carolina defenseman Sean Walker accidentally deflected the puck past Frederik Andersen.

Less than four minutes later, Marner gracefully deked around Andersen and slipped the puck into the net with relative ease to make it 3-0.

Then, with a little more than three minutes left in the period, the 10-year veteran blasted a shot from the right circle, triggering throngs of hats being thrown on the ice. It was the fastest natural hat trick in Stanley Cup history at 6:10.

“I can’t do it by myself, that’s for sure,” Marner said during a television interview between periods. “All five guys have been on a great page. I’ve liked our line’s play for the last month.”

Marner also assisted on Hertl’s goal. His four points are tied for the most in a single period since 1919.

Marner’s 28 points are the most by any player in NHL history in his first postseason with a new team

The 29-year-old now has 10 goals in 19 playoff games with the Golden Knights. He had 13 goals in 70 playoff games during his nine years with Toronto.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner, left, celebrates his goal as Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker, right, skates behind during the second period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner, right, scores on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen during the second period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner celebrates his goal with defenseman Shea Theodore, an own goal by the Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker, during the second period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen, right, stops a shot by Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner during the second period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)