In a thrilling announcement for boxing enthusiasts, the stage is set for a monumental clash in the heavyweight division. The much-anticipated bout between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois will headline a spectacular event at Manchester’s Co-Op Live on Saturday, May 9, 2026. This high-stakes encounter will see Wardley, the reigning World Boxing Organisation Heavyweight Champion, make his first title defense against the formidable Dubois, a former International Boxing Federation Heavyweight Champion.
Fabio Wardley, hailing from Ipswich, Suffolk, boasts an impressive record of 20-1 with 19 knockouts. His opponent, Daniel Dubois from Greenwich, London, enters the ring with a record of 22-3 and 21 knockouts. Dubois, who has been out of the ring for a year following a fifth-round knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk in July 2025, is eager to reclaim his status as a world champion.
The event, dubbed ‘Don’t Blink!’, promises to deliver an evening of electrifying action. Promoter Frank Warren has lauded the matchup as the most exciting and explosive fight available for Wardley’s first defense. Wardley’s journey to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary, marked by resilience and a relentless pursuit of greatness. Despite being written off numerous times, Wardley has consistently proven his detractors wrong, stepping up to face bigger challenges and delivering remarkable performances.
Dubois, at just 28 years old, is attempting to become a two-time world heavyweight champion, a feat that underscores his remarkable career. This will be his sixth world title fight, with only Oleksandr Usyk having previously defeated him. Dubois’ early career loss to Joe Joyce has only fueled his determination to reclaim his place at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division.
In the co-main event, the vacant World Boxing Organisation World Super Middleweight title will be contested between former WBC World Middleweight title challenger Hamzah Sheeraz and WBO European Super Middleweight champion Alem Begic. Sheeraz, with a record of 22-0-1 and 18 knockouts, will face Begic, who holds a record of 29-0-1 with 23 knockouts. This bout adds another layer of excitement to an already stacked card.
The Manchester card is shaping up to be a night to remember, with both the main event and the co-main event promising to deliver high-octane action. Boxing fans around the world are eagerly awaiting May 9, 2026, for what is sure to be a memorable evening of world-class boxing.
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