Daniel Dubois Triumphs Over Fabio Wardley
In a remarkable comeback, Daniel Dubois triumphed over Fabio Wardley on Saturday night at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, securing the WBO heavyweight title. The match was particularly memorable as Dubois faced early setbacks, being knocked down twice, first just 10 seconds into the fight and once more in the third round, both caused by Wardley’s powerful overhand right punches.
Dubois Regains Control
Despite these challenges, Dubois, now holding a professional record of 23 wins (22 by knockout) and 3 losses, managed to regain his composure and take control of the bout. He unleashed a series of punishing right hooks that left Wardley visibly marked, developing swelling and cuts on his face. Referee Howard Foster waved off the match in the 11th round, marking Wardley’s first career defeat with a record now standing at 20 wins (19 KOs), 1 loss, and 1 draw.
Future Showdowns
This victory comes after Dubois’s previous loss to Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium for the IBF title, where he was knocked out in the fifth round last July. After this win, Dubois now seems poised for a potential showdown with the impressive emerging talent Moses Itauma, who was present at the event. The president of the WBO, Gustavo Olivieri, indicated that Itauma, following his recent victory over Jermaine Franklin, would likely be set as the mandatory challenger for Dubois’s title.
Undercard Highlights
On the undercard, a standout performance by London’s Zak Chelli made the evening even more electrifying. Chelli secured a significant upset by defeating Cuban boxer David Morrell in the 10th round. With this victory, Chelli, who now holds a record of 17 wins (9 KOs), 3 losses, and 1 draw, wasted no time in calling out WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez. Benavidez is a noteworthy opponent who previously went the distance with Morrell, winning that bout by decision.
Additionally, Jack Rafferty made a successful transition to the welterweight division by defeating Ekow Essuman, with his corner conceding the match after six rounds. The event highlighted a series of exciting matches, further intensifying the competitive landscape in boxing’s heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions.
