It’s now official: Fabio Wardley will make the first defense of his WBO heavyweight belt against Daniel Dubois at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on Saturday May 9. It will be broadcast as a pay-per-view event by DAZN.
“I’ve never been in this game to play around,” said Wardley, 20-0-1 (19 KOs). “I’m committed to big fights only. I’m the champion, this is a voluntary defense, and I chose this.”
Wardley’s decision to take on Dubois is indeed a ballsy one. Though he has yet to win a genuine world title fight – Wardley was upgraded from interim titlist when Oleksandr Usyk, the true heavyweight king, relinquished the WBO strap – the ambitious 31-year-old is about to embark on arguably his toughest test yet.
“I’m not about to win a world title and then take easy fights or hide away with it,” he said. “I’m not running off with my belt. One thing you can’t ever say about me is I’ve shied away from a challenge. I’ve always gone looking for the biggest tests, and I’d back myself against anyone in this division.
“This is one of the biggest fights that can be made in the heavyweight division right now, and the best part is, it doesn’t need the extra stuff. This fight sells itself. With me, you know what you’re getting – drama and entertainment – and when that first bell goes, it’s going to be fireworks.”
For once, the promotional hyperbole might be on the money. Like Wardley, the 28-year-old Dubois, 22-3 (21 KOs), is widely regarded as one of the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division. A former wearer of the IBF belt (he too found himself awarded the belt when Usyk opted to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury) who scored a huge victory over Anthony Joshua in 2024 in his lone successful defense, Dubois is also risking his reputation. His most recent fight, in July 2025, ended in a fifth-round defeat to Usyk – Dubois’ second loss to the untouchable Ukrainian.
“On the 9th May, the world title reign is over for Fabio, and I will become champion again,” Dubois is quoted as saying. “Let’s go.”
Unlike Dubois, Queensberry promoter Frank Warren is a man who can really sell a fight.
“This is another piece of British heavyweight history being made,” Warren said.
“This is quite simply the most exciting and explosive fight available for Fabio’s first defense of his WBO world title, and it tells you everything about him that this is the fight he demanded.
“Fabio’s journey has been extraordinary and inspiring. Time and again he is written off, and time and again he proves people wrong. He keeps stepping up, keeps taking on bigger challenges and keeps delivering, often against the odds.
“For Daniel to be attempting to become a two-time world champion at just 28 is equally remarkable.”
