Wardley vs Dubois: How New Heavyweight Champion Silenced His Critics
- On Saturday, May 9, 2026, Daniel Dubois stopped Fabio Wardley in the 11th round at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, capturing the WBO heavyweight title in an intense all-British clash.
- Wardley entered as champion, making his first title defense after winning the interim belt last October, while Dubois returned from a 10-month layoff following his second career loss to undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
- Early knockdowns saw Wardley floor Dubois twice—within 10 seconds of the opening bell and again in the third round—but the challenger recovered to dismantle the champion, leaving him bloodied and nearly unable to see.
- Referee Howard Foster halted the contest 28 seconds into the 11th round as Wardley's facial injuries worsened, securing Dubois' second world title reign and silencing long-standing questions about his resilience.
- Promoter Frank Warren confirmed a rematch clause exists in the contract, signaling a potential second fight between the pair; meanwhile, Usyk prepares for Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt.
95 Articles
95 Articles
Fabio Wardley Was Too Brave For His Own Good
When the bell rang to signal the 10th round of the Fabio Wardley-Daniel Dubois heavyweight fight for the WBO world title, a bloodied Wardley rose from his stool and walked off-balance to center ring, as if taking his first steps. The night began well for him: He fired an overhand right that sent Dubois clattering to the floor just 12 seconds in, then forced Dubois to take a knee in round three with another shot to the top of the head. But virtua…
Dubois stops Wardley in 11 rounds to take WBO heavyweight title
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) — Daniel Dubois dealt Fabio Wardley his first defeat as a professional to take the WBO heavyweight title in a thunderous and bloody all-British clash on Saturday. The post Dubois stops Wardley in 11 rounds to take WBO heavyweight title appeared first on West Hawaii Today.
Daniel Dubois (23-3-0) released last night all his dynamite in London to snatch his fellow Fabio Wardley (20-1-1) into World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion belt. It was one of the best and most vibrant full weight fights of the past few months or perhaps beyond. It had not been 30 seconds when the undefeated champion hooked up a right that Dubois tried to dodge but hit him in the top of his head and took him to the tarp. He re-composed…
A promoter revealed details of a secret clause in the contract. The dramatic heavyweight bout between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley for the WBO title lived up to fans' expectations. Despite two knockdowns, Dubois managed to turn the fight around and knock out his opponent. Promoter Frank Warren has already made his first statement regarding the champion's future opponent. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing DAZN Boxing. Read also: Amosov …
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