Daniel Dubois has climbed off the canvas twice to produce a dramatic comeback to stop Fabio Wardley and capture the WBO heavyweight world title in a thrilling slugfest in Manchester on Saturday night.
The 28-year-old Londoner was in serious trouble in the opening moments of the fight, after being caught by a right hand on the top of his head that sent him to the floor.
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After recovering in Round 2, Dubois was again knocked down in Round 3, before finding his rythm and turning the fight around.
Dubois, who has faced many questions about his resilience in the heavyweight division, used his jab and footwork to work his way back into the fight and stop Wardley by TKO in Round 11.
“That was a war, thank you Fabio,” says a victorious Dubois afterwards.
“I know I’ve got heart – I’m a warrior … early it was just flash knockdowns. I had to get back to my boxing.”
Promoter Frank Warren was stunned.
Britain’s Fabio Wardley, right, swings and tries to connect with Britain’s Daniel Dubois during their WBO World Heavyweight boxing title bout in Manchester, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)Source: AP
“That’s the best heavyweight fight I’ve ever put on,” he said.
DAZN commentator Wade Plemons posted to X: “Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley just had one of the greatest heavyweight world title fghts I’ve EVER SEEN..WHAT A WAR.. And Dubois just silenced EVERYONE after gettting off the floor TWICE and running over Wardley.”
Wardley landed some great counter shots during the middle rounds, but Dubois’ superior boxing proved the difference on the night.
Wardley absorbed an enormous amount of punishment before ref Howard Foster interjected early in the 11th round to end it.
Wardley’s vision out of his right eye was badly impaired and he was bleeding badly from his nose when it was stopped at 28 seconds into the 11th round.
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Dubois, now a two-time champ, is the first man to defeat Wardley.
It was Dubois’ first fight since Usyk knocked him out in July last year at Wembley Stadium in London.
Just over a month on since Moses Itauma dispatched Jermaine Franklin, Dubois and Wardley produced another memorable night of heavyweight boxing.
Wardley and Dubois left it all in the ring, and after promoter Frank Warren called this bout Britain’s answer to Hagler-Hearns, it lived up to the billing.
Dubois now finds himself back on the top of the heavyweight ladder, and some great fights await, but Saturday’s showing saw him silence those who doubted his heart and determination when the going got tough.
More to follow.