Tension escalates ahead of the WBO heavyweight title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on May 9 at Co-op Live in Manchester. The buildup intensifies following Wardley’s controversial remark regarding Dubois’s potential career outside of boxing.
Wardley, who will defend his WBO heavyweight title for the first time, stated, “If he wasn’t a boxer, I think he might just be a bin man or something like that.” This comment drew immediate backlash from Dubois’s camp.
Dubois’s trainer, Don Charles, expressed shock at Wardley’s words, calling them disrespectful. He noted that such remarks are unexpected from an opponent preparing for a significant match. Dubois himself responded by saying, “Really, it’s disrespect, but we’ll address that in the ring.”
The fight is billed as ‘Don’t Blink’ and is expected to attract considerable attention within the boxing community. Ring-walks are anticipated around 11 p.m. BST, with the undercard starting at approximately 6 p.m. BST.
Both fighters boast impressive records. Wardley enters with 20 wins—19 by knockout—and no losses, while Dubois has 22 wins, including 21 KOs, against 3 losses. Their combined knockout total stands at an impressive 40.
This matchup forms part of a larger narrative in British boxing rivalry, especially after Dubois was knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk last July. The stakes are high for both fighters as they aim to solidify their standings in heavyweight boxing.
The event will be broadcast on DAZN, with viewers needing a subscription to access the pay-per-view fight priced at £24.99. An annual subscription costs £119.99 or £25.99 monthly.
As anticipation builds for this clash of heavyweights, fans are keen to see how the rivalry unfolds both inside and outside the ring.
