Fabio Wardley will face Daniel Dubois on May 9 in Manchester for the WBO heavyweight title. Tensions have escalated following a controversial remark by Wardley about Dubois’s potential career outside of boxing.
Wardley, 31, is set to defend his WBO heavyweight title for the first time. He secured the interim title with an eleventh-round stoppage against Joseph Parker last October.
Dubois, 28, holds a record of 22 wins and 3 losses, with 21 knockouts. He was knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk in July last year, which adds pressure to his upcoming bout.
The fight, billed as “Don’t Blink,” is generating significant interest in British boxing. Ring-walks are expected around 11 p.m. BST, with the undercard starting at approximately 6 p.m. BST.
Wardley’s comments have drawn sharp 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 sparked outrage among fans and analysts alike.
Don Charles, Dubois’s trainer, expressed disbelief: “That’s quite shocking to me; I’m surprised coming from Fabio.” Meanwhile, Dubois responded, saying, “Really, it’s disrespect, but we’ll address that in the ring.”
Wardley boasts an impressive record of 20 wins and only 1 draw, with 19 knockouts. The combined knockout power of both fighters stands at 40.
The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN, requiring either an annual subscription costing £119.99 or a monthly fee of £25.99. Fans can access the pay-per-view for £24.99.
This fight marks a significant moment in their careers and intensifies the ongoing British boxing rivalry.
The stakes are high as both fighters prepare to settle their differences in the ring.
