Boxing Wire

Tag: Daniel Dubois

  • Daniel Dubois Reflects On Fabio Wardley’s Power After Epic War

    Daniel Dubois Reflects On Fabio Wardley’s Power After Epic War

    Daniel Dubois has silenced every question about his heart and determination, climbing off the canvas twice to stop Fabio Wardley in the 11th round and claim the WBO heavyweight championship in what Frank Warren described as one of the best fights he has ever promoted.

    The Co-op Live Arena in Manchester witnessed a genuine war. Dubois was dropped in the opening round by a right hand on top of his head, recovered in round two, and was knocked down again in round three before finally finding his rhythm and gradually taking control of the fight.

    From there, Dubois used his jab and footwork to work his way back into contention, overcoming Wardley’s effective counter-punching through the middle rounds with superior boxing as the fight progressed. The finish came at 28 seconds of round 11 when referee Howard Foster intervened with Wardley’s right eye badly impaired and blood pouring from his nose.

    Dubois was emotional and direct in his post-fight comments.

    “That was a war, thank you Fabio. I know I’ve got heart — I’m a warrior. Early it was just flash knockdowns. I had to get back to my boxing.”

    Warren matched the moment with his own assessment.

    “That’s the best heavyweight fight I’ve ever put on.”

    DAZN commentator Wade Plemons posted on X that the fight was one of the greatest heavyweight world title fights he had ever witnessed.

    Dubois is now a two-time world heavyweight champion and the first man to defeat the previously unbeaten Wardley professionally. It was his first fight since Oleksandr Usyk knocked him out at Wembley Stadium in July last year. WBO mandatory challenger Moses Itauma is among the names expected to shape the title picture around Dubois when both parties are ready to return.

  • Frank Warren Provides Update on Daniel Dubois-Fabio Wardley Rematch

    Frank Warren Provides Update on Daniel Dubois-Fabio Wardley Rematch

    Frank Warren has ruled out an immediate rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley despite a rematch clause existing in the contract, saying both fighters will need a significant period of recovery before either returns to the ring. Dubois stopped Wardley in Round 11 to capture the WBO heavyweight title on Saturday night. 

    Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing after the bout, Warren was clear about the timeline.

    “There is a rematch clause, but I don’t think that’ll be happening anytime soon. They’re going to have to be out of the ring for a little while yet. Probably six months at least.”

    He praised both men effusively after one of the most physically demanding heavyweight title fights seen in Britain in years.

    “It was just amazing. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever put on.”

    Warren also took the opportunity to address the criticism that has followed Dubois throughout his career regarding his mental fortitude under pressure, a narrative that Saturday’s performance should put to rest.

    “I never want to hear anybody talk about Daniel’s heart ever again. He gritted his teeth tonight and showed what he can do.”

    On the question of what comes next for the new WBO champion, Warren pointed to the broader heavyweight landscape as the determining factor.

    “There are quite a few heavyweight fights happening in the next few months, and that will determine where we go.”

    Moses Itauma is among the names positioned to enter the WBO title picture, with the unbeaten 21-year-old ranked third by the WBC and expected to fight in the United States later this year as part of promoter Frank Warren’s plan to expand his profile.

  • Tony Bellew Breaks Down Daniel Dubois’ Chances vs Fabio Wardley

    Tony Bellew Breaks Down Daniel Dubois’ Chances vs Fabio Wardley

    Tony Bellew has backed Fabio Wardley to retain the WBO heavyweight championship against Daniel Dubois on Saturday, making the undefeated British champion a slight favorite and explaining exactly why he believes Wardley is more difficult to beat than his resume might suggest.

    Speaking on talkSPORT Boxing, Bellew acknowledged that Wardley has repeatedly found ways to win fights that by all logic he should have lost, and argued that quality represents his greatest asset heading into the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

    “Fabio has been absolutely amazing. A couple of times I have thought that he was going to get beat and he has shown me up and come really good. The thing with Fabio is, he has more strings to his bow than Daniel does, so he has more ways that he can win. The biggest factor for me is that he has shown he can get off the floor, ride out the really tough moments in fights and win fights that, if I am being totally honest, he doesn’t deserve to win. He was losing every round against Justis Huni and he was losing against Joseph Parker. But, you see that undefeated thing that he has got going — it stands him in such good stead and it gives him such confidence because you have to nail Fabio Wardley to the floor to beat him. He is not going to give in, no matter if everyone is against him, he has got this ‘me against the world’ attitude and you will see on Saturday night that you will have to really nail him to the floor to beat him. I am not saying that it is impossible, but I make Fabio a slight favourite.”

    Wardley enters the fight as WBO heavyweight champion, with his undefeated record built on wins over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker, both of which were secured while trailing on the judges’ scorecards before turning the fights around. 

    Dubois, meanwhile, arrives as the more decorated name on paper. The former IBF heavyweight champion holds notable wins over Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, and Jarrell Miller, though he is coming off a loss to Oleksandr Usyk last July that exposed him against the very top level of the division. A win over Wardley on Saturday would make him a two-time world heavyweight champion and restore his position as a genuine contender in the broader heavyweight picture.

    Wardley vs. Dubois takes place Saturday at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.