On the 9th of May, the Co-op Live in Manchester will be the epicenter of the boxing world as Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois step into the ring for a highly anticipated heavyweight clash. This bout, promoted by Queensberry Promotions, will see Wardley’s WBO world heavyweight title on the line in a thrilling all-British showdown dubbed ‘Don’t Blink.’
Fabio Wardley, with an impressive record of 20-0-1 and 19 KOs, has rapidly ascended through the heavyweight ranks. His journey, which began in white-collar boxing, has seen him triumph over notable opponents such as Justis Huni and Joseph Parker. Wardley’s relentless determination and knockout power have made him a formidable force in the division.
Daniel Dubois, boasting a record of 22-3 with 21 KOs, has also proven his mettle. Despite facing criticism, Dubois has demonstrated remarkable resilience in victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua. Following a setback against Oleksandr Usyk, Dubois briefly switched trainers from Don Charles to Tony Sims before returning to Charles in preparation for the Wardley fight.
Upon the announcement of the Wardley vs. Dubois bout, both fighters expressed their enthusiasm. Wardley, known for his commitment to high-stakes matches, stated, ‘I’ve never been in this game to play around—I’m committed to big fights only. I’m the champion, this is a voluntary defense, and I chose this. I’m not about to win a world title and then take easy fights or hide away with it—I’m not running off with my belt. One thing you can’t ever say about me is I’ve shied away from a challenge. I’ve always gone looking for the biggest tests, and I’d back myself against anyone in this division. This is one of the biggest fights that can be made in the heavyweight division right now—and the best part is, it doesn’t need the extra stuff… this fight sells itself. With me, you know what you’re getting—drama and entertainment—and when that first bell goes, it’s going to be fireworks.’
Dubois, equally confident, sent a clear message to his opponent: ‘On the 9th May, the world title reign is over for Fabio, and I will become champion again. Let’s go.’
In a recent discussion with Ariel Helwani, rising contender Moses Itauma shared his thoughts on potentially facing the winner of the Wardley-Dubois bout. Itauma noted, ‘If Fabio wins—we’re at the same gym—it might be a bit awkward. But obviously, if Dubois wins, it’ll probably be more likely to happen. One of us would have to leave the gym. I’ve never really thought of Wardley as my opponent. We’ve never sparred. Ben likes to keep the gym as a team environment.’
The anticipation for the Wardley vs. Dubois clash continues to build, with fans eagerly awaiting what promises to be an explosive night of heavyweight boxing.
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