Fabio Wardley makes the first defence of his WBO heavyweight title in an all-British clash with Daniel Dubois that promises danger and drama.
Wardley was upgraded to full-champion status after his thrilling victory over Joseph Parker last October that secured the sanctioning body’s interim belt.
It speaks of the confidence brimming within the 31-year-old former white-collar slugger, and the phenomenal run he is on, that Wardley has picked out Dubois for his first.
The 28-year-old Londoner has not fought since losing the IBF belt to unified heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley last July and is straight back into title action.
Of their combined 42 career wins, 40 of Dubois and Wardley’s successes have come via knockout. The promotional tagline for the fight of ‘Don’t Blink’ is more than apt.
There are a number of intriguing clashes on the undercard that have a greater chance of going the distance, from appearances by international stars to well-matched domestic dust-ups.
Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Wardley vs. Dubois card.
David Morrell vs. Zak Chelli
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Morrell record: 12-1
- Chelli record: 16-3-1
Morrell was due to face Callum Smith in Liverpool on April 18 for the WBO interim light heavyweight title before injury laid the former world super middleweight champion low, scuppering a much-anticipated hometown headline appearance.
Team Morrell thought fast and secured this date with former British super middleweight champion Chelli. After losing that title to Callum Simpson in August 2024, Chelli stepped up to 175 pounds and knocked out Adam Hepple to win the vacant English belt 10 months ago.
The skilled Cuban southpaw, whose only defeat came against pound-for-pound star David Benavidez last February, should have far too much for Chelli, although Morrell did have to get off the canvas to edge past Imam Khataev via split decision last time out.
Jack Rafferty vs. Ekow Essuman
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Rafferty record: 26-0-1
- Essuman record: 22-2
Rafferty’s British and Commonwealth super lightweight title defence against Mark Chamberlain last August, an action-packed majority draw, was a strong contender for the UK’s fight of the year in 2025.
The Oldham boxer steps up to 147 pounds for a bout that could feasibly end up in that conversation in 2026. Essuman has been British champion at this weight, is coming in with a point to prove and a top-level career on the line after his crushing defeat to Jack Catterall on the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn 2 undercard.
Bakhodir Jalolov vs. Agron Smakici
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Jalolov record: 16-0
- Smakici record: 21-3
A late and eye-catching addition to the card, two-time Olympic super heavyweight champion Jalolov will be keen to produce a statement performance on a banner night for boxing’s big men.
The Uzbek star retained the championship he won in Tokyo at the Paris Games in 2024. However, splitting his time between the amateur and professional codes has hindered his focus in terms of climbing up the latter rankings.
Jalolov’s elite skillset is beyond question but, at 31 and with the heavyweight division potentially approaching a moment of transition, it is time to make his move. Smakici has 19 KOs in 21 career victories but a three-round loss to Agit Kabayal in 2023 is probably the best measuring stick for Jalolov here.
Liam Cameron vs. Brad Rea
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Cameron record: 24-7-1
- Rea record: 21-2
Manchester favourite Rea returns to the same arena where he lost his European title in a thrilling 12-round local derby against Lyndon Arthur, who prevailed via majority decision despite being decked by a left hook in the second.
Cameron claimed a controversial unanimous decision win over Troy Jones on that Co-op Live card, his first outing since a second-round TKO loss in his rematch againsty Ben Whittaker last April.
Khaleel Majid vs. Gavin Gwynne
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Majid record: 16-0
- Gwynne record: 18-4-2
Majid faces a step up in quality and can expect a thorough examination of his undefeated record when he tangles with experienced former British and European lightweight champion Gywnne.
The 36-year-old Welshman was held to a majority draw in the rematch of his disputed defeat to rising star Cameron Vuong at the end of last year. Plenty of good judges felt Gwynne won both of those fights.
Where to watch Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois
- Live Stream: DAZN
- PPV price: £24.99
Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois will be available on DAZN worldwide.
A DAZN monthly subscription costs £9.99 on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month. An annual subscription will cost £99.99.
The PPV price is £24.99. You can also sign up to the DAZN Ultimate package to watch PPV boxing at no extra cost.
DAZN Ultimate is DAZN’s premium subscription tier, which includes a minimum of 12 pay‑per‑view boxing events per year as part of the subscription. That includes major heavyweight bouts such as Wardley vs. Dubois and Usyk vs. Verhoeven (May 23), plus over 185 fight nights annually and Serie A football (market dependent).
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