Daniel Dubois And Fabio Wardley Deliver Fight Of The Year Classic

Daniel Dubois produced a stunning comeback performance to stop Fabio Wardley in the 11th round and claim the WBO heavyweight title after a brutal battle at the Co-op Live, Manchester.

In one of the most dramatic heavyweight contests of recent times, Wardley floored Dubois twice in the opening three rounds, including a sensational knockdown inside the first 10 seconds. But Dubois weathered the early storm before unleashing his trademark power to overwhelm the defending champion in a bloody and unforgettable fight.

The Londoner finally forced the stoppage in round 11 when referee Howard Foster stepped in after a relentless barrage of punches left Wardley unable to defend himself.

“It was a war,” Dubois said afterwards. “We came through the sticky moments. Thank you, Fabio, for that.

“What a great fight, what a great battle, man.”

Dubois also vowed to improve further after reclaiming world honours.

“We move on now. I want to grow from this fight, improve and go on and reign as champion again.”

Promoter Frank Warren later confirmed that a rematch clause exists in the contract, raising the prospect of a second showdown between the heavyweight rivals.

“These two guys showed such heart. Great heart. Chins. It was an amazing fight,” Warren said.

“It had everything, exciting. The best heavyweight fight I’ve ever put on.”

Wardley’s Dream Start

Dubois entered the contest desperate to bounce back following his defeat to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, but his evening almost unravelled immediately after a chaotic start to fight night, with reports suggesting he was delayed in traffic on the way to the arena.

The defending champion exploded out of the blocks and sent Dubois crashing to the canvas with a huge right hook just seconds into the opening round. It was a remarkable start and the Manchester crowd erupted as Dubois beat the count.

Clearly shaken, Dubois responded aggressively, forcing Wardley backwards and landing several huge right hands of his own to swing momentum back in his favour.

The second round saw Dubois settle into the fight as he pinned Wardley against the ropes with heavy shots, but the champion produced another huge moment in the third. Wardley landed a second knockdown with a powerful attack that left Dubois on one knee and staring at another possible defeat.

Dubois Turns The Tide

Despite the punishment, Dubois showed impressive resilience and gradually began to wear Wardley down with relentless pressure and heavier punches.

A vicious combination in round four changed the complexion of the fight as Dubois landed a crushing right hook that forced Wardley onto the back foot. The Ipswich favourite, unbeaten in his professional career before the bout, suddenly looked vulnerable as Dubois repeatedly found success with jabs and hooks.

Wardley continued to throw back, but Dubois’ accuracy and power became increasingly difficult to handle.

The sixth round nearly brought the end. Dubois trapped Wardley on the ropes and unleashed a sustained attack which left the champion bloodied and badly hurt. Somehow, Wardley stayed upright and survived the round despite taking huge punishment.

A Brave Final Stand

To his credit, Wardley refused to surrender and continued firing back despite severe damage to his face and unsteady legs.

Dubois, however, remained in complete control through the championship rounds. Massive sweeping hooks and heavy combinations repeatedly rocked Wardley, whose nose required multiple inspections from officials as blood poured down his face.

The end finally arrived early in the 11th round when Dubois launched another vicious flurry. With Wardley no longer able to adequately defend himself, Foster waved off the contest to crown Dubois the new WBO heavyweight champion.

What’s next for Dubois?

The heavyweight picture has suddenly become crowded again for Daniel Dubois after his brutal victory in Manchester, with several major options now on the table.

A potential third fight with Oleksandr Usyk remains the most obvious route back to undisputed glory, but that depends heavily on future outcomes, including Usyk’s meeting with Rico Verhoeven later this month. If Usyk continues his dominance, a trilogy may struggle to gain traction.

Closer to home, a rematch with Wardley feels like the easiest sell after such a chaotic and compelling first encounter, with demand likely to be strong given the drama they produced over 11 rounds.

Elsewhere, rising star Moses Itauma represents a fresh and intriguing domestic option, while the heavyweight landscape could shift again if a blockbuster clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury comes to fruition, potentially opening the door for Dubois to face the winner.

For now, Dubois is not just champion again, but he is a central figure in Boxing’s biggest division.