Daniel Dubois survived two knockdowns – the first after just 10 seconds – to dethrone a bloodied but courageous Fabio Wardley in the 11th round of a thrilling heavyweight classic and become a two-time world champion.
Wardley floored his fellow Briton early with a flush right hand and dropped him again in the third, before Dubois regrouped and responded with wave after wave of heavy shots.
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The Ipswich fighter, his nose damaged and one eye swollen shut, staggered around the ring yet somehow stayed on his feet and continued to fire back.
As the contest drifted into uncomfortable territory, the referee had eventually seen enough and halted the fight. A distraught Wardley sank to his knees as Dubois celebrated capturing the WBO heavyweight title.
“It was a war, thank you Fabio for that, thank you. I know I’ve got heart, bundles of heart. I’m a warrior in there,” Dubois told DAZN.
“I had to get back up, bounce it off and come back harder. I’m a warrior.”
In a week when Dubois’ mentality was questioned, the 28-year-old silenced his critics with a clinical display of heart and power.
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Dubois picked up his 23rd professional victory and reasserted himself at the top of the division as Wardley, 31, lost for the first time in 22 fights.
With knockout power stacked heavily on both sides, the fight joined a rare crop of elite encounters to live up to its pre-fight hype, as promoter Frank Warren confirmed there is a rematch clause.
Two warriors but one winner – Dubois silences doubters
Having arrived an hour later than the champion to the venue because of Manchester traffic, Dubois made a brisk, business-like ringwalk.
Wardley, in his first appearance since being upgraded to world champion, soaked in the atmosphere with a leisurely entrance. Draped in an Ipswich Town Football Club robe, he was greeted by a warm reception from the 18,000-strong crowd.
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With a combined record of 42 wins – 40 coming by knockout – there was palpable anticipation inside the arena, and Wardley stayed true to his promise to bring the action early as Dubois immediately hit the canvas after a flush right hand.
Dubois winked to his corner but looked shell-shocked. He wrestled Wardley to the ground as both fighters swung for the hills.
Many expected Dubois to impose himself early before Wardley could settle. Considered the better technical boxer, he regrouped and landed a right in the second.
Momentum swung again in the third when Wardley, who looked sharp with his overhand right and uppercuts, sent Dubois wobbling. Dubois took a knee and survived the count before firing back with a right hand that rocked Wardley.
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The fighters and fans struggled to catch a breath as trainer Don Charles urged Dubois to lean on his jab, and he followed that instruction to take control of proceedings.
Dubois’ left eye was swollen, but Wardley’s face looked a mess as Dubois set up his attacks with a left jab before landing his biggest shots in the fourth and the sixth.
Wardley, who was working in recruitment a decade ago, showed an extraordinary chin and heart as he refused to go down despite his legs trembling and blood pouring down his face.
Most would likely have been withdrawn by their corner, but Wardley has built a reputation on dramatic comebacks. This time, however, it felt different.
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The doctor inspected Wardley’s injuries before the eighth round and allowed him to continue.
By the ninth, the referee looked ready to intervene as Wardley continued to absorb heavy punishment and the contest became increasingly difficult to watch.
Doctors again allowed Wardley to continue before the 10th and when the stoppage finally arrived in the 11th, there was almost a sense of relief.
A sensational fight had reached its conclusion.
Warren – a veteran of 45 years in the sport – described it as “the best heavyweight fight” he has ever promoted.
What next for ‘Dynamite’ Dubois?
Daniel Dubois came into the contest weighing a career-heavy 18st (115kg) [Getty Images]
Wardley’s trademark resilience was on display, but the champion – relaxed and composed throughout fight week – may ultimately have underestimated Dubois.
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Yet even in defeat, Wardley remains one of the division’s top contenders and his rise from white-collar boxing to world level in under a decade suggests there is still room for growth.
For Dubois, this victory adds another defining chapter to a career shaped by both setbacks and statement performances.
Defeats by Joe Joyce and twice to Oleksandr Usyk had raised questions about his place among the best, but this win emphatically restores his standing.
“[Fabio] is a durable guy, durable warrior, great warrior. Thank you for a great fight, man. It was an honour to be in the ring with you,” Dubois said.
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“I want to grow from this fight, improve and come back even better and go on to reign as champion again.”
A third fight with Usyk – and another shot at undisputed glory – is the obvious next chapter.
Yet if the Ukrainian defeats Rico Verhoeven later this month as expected, there may be little appetite for a trilogy after two convincing wins.
A rematch with Wardley would be an easy sell and will likely happen.
A showdown with the highly rated Moses Itauma would also capture the imagination, while the winner of a proposed clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could yet target Dubois for one final shot at world honours.
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For now, though, Dubois has reminded the division that he is still one of its most dangerous and destructive forces.
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