Daniel Dubois’ new trainer Tony Sims is targeting a WBO heavyweight title fight with Fabio Wardley.
Sims succeeded Don Charles as Dubois’ trainer in August, in the aftermath of the heavyweight’s second defeat by Oleksandr Usyk.
The 28-year-old Dubois followed his fellow English heavyweight Johnny Fisher in recruiting him, giving the experienced trainer a second heavyweight after a lengthy period without one at the highest level.
Sims once led Anthony Joshua to the IBF title, and more recently watched Wardley elevated to the status of WBO champion.
Confident in the progress Dubois has made under him, he therefore wants him to challenge Wardley – also of England – next.
“I’d like the Wardley right for him,” Sims told BoxingScene. “That’s the fight – it’s been mentioned. He’s operated at a higher level now with Joshua and Usyk and it’s no good getting a name for a comeback fight – he’s past all that.
“I’d like to see him fight Wardley. I think it’s a great fight for British fans, and it’s a great fight for all fans, really, ‘cause they’re both punchers. I think it’d be a fantastic fight, that fight.
“He’s doing really well. He’s been with me for about three or four months now, and he’s just waiting for a date, really. He ain’t got no dates in front of him, so we’ve just been working on technical stuff and things like that. We’re just waiting on a date now so he can get his teeth into a full camp, but it’s been going well.”
Wardley, 30, became champion in the aftermath of his career-best victory, in October over Joseph Parker. Fisher, incidentally, recently fought and won under Sims for the first time, when in Monte Carlo recovering from being hurt in the first round to stop Ivan Balaz in the fourth.
“It’s good to have a couple of heavyweights in the gym together,” Sims added. “They’ve both blended in well with the other boys in there, so it’s been good having them in there.
“The pad work takes a toll on you a bit but I’ve got [assistant trainer] John Ryder in there with me as well, so he takes a load off me. It’s been good.”
After his separation from Charles, Dubois also recruited Sam Jones to be his advisor. His sister, the lightweight Caroline Dubois, recently signed a promotional agreement with MVP.
