Wardley vs dubois

Tension escalates ahead of the WBO heavyweight title fight on May 9, 2026, in Manchester, as Fabio Wardley makes a controversial remark about Daniel Dubois’s potential career outside boxing.

Wardley will defend his WBO heavyweight title for the first time after winning it with a Round 11 stoppage over Joseph Parker last October. He has an impressive record of 20 wins, no losses, and one draw, with 19 knockouts. In contrast, Dubois holds a record of 22 wins and three losses, including being knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk in July last year.

The upcoming match is billed as ‘Don’t Blink’, with ring-walks expected around 11 p.m. BST and the undercard starting at approximately 6 p.m. BST. This event marks a significant moment in British boxing rivalry.

Wardley’s recent comments regarding Dubois have drawn criticism. He stated, “If he wasn’t a boxer, I think he might just be a bin man or something like that.” This remark has been described as disrespectful by Dubois and his trainer Don Charles, who said, “That’s quite shocking to me, I’m surprised coming from Fabio.”

Dubois responded to the comments by saying, “Really, it’s disrespect, but we’ll address that in the ring.” Such remarks add fuel to an already heated rivalry in heavyweight boxing.

The fight will be broadcast on DAZN, requiring either a subscription costing £119.99 annually or £25.99 monthly. Fans can purchase the fight on DAZN pay-per-view for £24.99.

Wardley is currently 31 years old while Dubois is 28. Together they boast a total of 40 knockouts in their combined records—demonstrating their power and skill in the ring.

This matchup not only showcases two rising stars but also highlights ongoing tensions within British boxing as they prepare to clash in Manchester.