Former IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois has said that Fabio Wardley is the “perfect” opponent to return against, having previously come off a fifth-round knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) will collide with his British counterpart at the CO-OP Live Arena in Manchester on May 9, with Wardley making the first defense of his WBO world title. The 28-year-old from London experienced a good run of form, leading to him being elevated to IBF champion, which included a devastating fifth round stoppage over Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
With a world title to his name, Oleksandr Usyk came calling for an undisputed heavyweight clash last July, also at Wembley Stadium. Dubois would fall convincingly to Usyk in the fifth round to be relieved of his championship and would see his name spread across the headlines for having problems inside his camp. His trainer Don Charles was removed from his position only to be reinstated weeks later, while advisor Sam Jones has come on board since his last unsuccessful outing.
“I think it is perfect for me,” Dubois told Wardley, who was sat opposite him on DAZN’s broadcast of FACE OFF, in response to why he has taken the WBO title fight since the loss to Usyk. “He’s not a southpaw or anything like that. This is the domestic scrap I need. This is juicy for me. This is proper boxing now!”
Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) was elevated to world champion late last year after Usyk opted to vacate the belt. The 31-year-old comes off three straight knockout victories against; Frazer Clarke, Justis Huni and Joseph Parker.
“You need to take chances if you want to be great,” Dubois added. “If you want to be great and go down in history, you need to take chances and risks. This is what we are, this is what we live for…
“I’m relishing it, it’s good.”
Wardley vs Dubois will be aired on DAZN courtesy of Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
