Wardley claimed interim status with a stoppage of Joseph Parker in October 2025 and was later installed as full WBO champion. He has advanced through the division by pressing forward, ripping short hooks in close, and driving the straight right through the guard. At 31, he backs his conditioning and his willingness to stand his ground when the rounds get hard.
Asked about holding a world title, Wardley said: “I’m immensely proud of myself for being able to achieve that and pull that off, but it’s not just me. It’s the team around me that supports me with their faith and belief.”
The sharper comments came when Dubois’ name was raised.
“I rate Daniel highly and that’s why I picked him as an opponent. I want to be remembered as a fighter who never ducked anyone or shirked a challenge. My power is proven, first round, last round. Our records prove that when things get dicey, he isn’t game for it, so we’re really going to see on the night who’s really got what it takes.”
Wardley is raising doubts about how Dubois holds up when he has to stand and trade and find his balance after taking a clean shot. At heavyweight, that gets exposed the instant a firm jab lands and a straight right crashes through behind it.
Dubois, a former IBF belt holder, brings his own power. He operates behind a heavy jab and drives the straight right when he plants his feet. When he puts his shots together in combination, he has the strength to grind opponents down and force a stoppage.
He left no room for doubt.
“I need challenges where I am now in my career, I need the big names, the big fights. I am going to be up for this more than ever before. This is exciting. I see victory by knockout, victory by any means necessary. It’s called ‘Don’t Blink’ for a reason.”
Date: May 9
Start time: 7 pm UK / 2 pm ET
Streaming platform: DAZN
Venue: Co-op Live, Manchester
Upcoming fights live on DAZN:
Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois; May 9, Manchester
Sugar Nunez vs. Emanuel Navarette; February 28, Phoenix
Mitchell vs. Rosado; light heavyweight, March 7, Derby
James Dickens vs. Anthony Cacace, March 14, Dublin
George Liddard vs. Tyler Denny; March 21, London
Moses Itauma vs. Jermaine Franklin Jr.; March 28, Manchester
Derek Chisora vs. Deontay Wilder; April 4, London
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