Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois: WBO Heavyweight Title Showdown
In a highly anticipated showdown, Fabio Wardley is set to defend his WBO heavyweight title against fellow Brit Daniel Dubois on May 9. The matchup, confirmed by Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani, marks Wardley’s maiden defense since claiming the title. Although the exact venue remains undecided, the fight will take place in the UK, and fans can expect to catch the action through DAZN pay-per-view and Ultimate streaming services.
Fabio Wardley’s Rise in Boxing
Wardley, boasting an undefeated record of 20 wins, one draw, and 19 knockouts, made headlines in October when he unexpectedly rallied to stop Joseph Parker in the 11th round during their WBO interim title clash. Following this striking victory, the former undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk was mandated to defend against Wardley, who ultimately stepped up to become the full titleholder after Usyk chose to vacate his WBO belt.
Before his success against Parker, Wardley had faced adversity in a match against Justis Huni, only to pull off a remarkable knockout in the 10th round, showcasing his explosive power and resilience. With no previous amateur experience, he has managed a rapid rise in the boxing ranks, previously holding the British and Commonwealth titles.
Daniel Dubois: A Comeback Story
On the other hand, Dubois, who carries a record of 22 victories, including 21 knockouts, has been out of action since his defeat to Usyk in their unification rematch last July at Wembley Stadium. His performance leading up to that loss was noteworthy—having achieved an impressive three-fight winning streak and capturing the IBF interim title by defeating Filip Hrgovic in June 2024, which subsequently led to his full championship upgrade.
Furthermore, Dubois gained significant recognition in the boxing world after achieving a stunning upset victory over Anthony Joshua in September 2024 before a staggering crowd of 96,000 at Wembley.
After his second loss to Usyk, Dubois made a significant change in his camp, parting ways with trainer Don Charles, who had been instrumental in his title success, and working with Tony Sims. However, just recently, Dubois made headlines once again by returning to Charles for his upcoming bout against Wardley.
A Pivotal Moment in Their Careers
With a combined tally of 42 professional wins between them, and 40 of those concluding within the distance, the clash between Wardley and Dubois promises to be an electrifying encounter for fans and a pivotal moment in their careers as they vie for the WBO heavyweight championship this summer.
