Fabio Wardley defends his WBO heavyweight title for the first time against Daniel Dubois in Manchester on Saturday.
An all-British heavyweight world title encounter is a rare thing in boxing, especially outside of London.
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The Co-op Live Arena will host the fight with two of the division’s biggest punchers in action.
Can Wardley continue his remarkable rise from white collar boxing? Or will Dubois become a two-time world champion at the age of 28?
Everything you need to know about the fight is below.
How to follow Wardley v Dubois on the BBC
Radio commentary will begin from 19:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app.
Live text commentary will start from 20:00 on the BBC Sport website and app, with radio commentary switching to BBC Radio 5 Live from 22:00.
You can follow all the action through fight week with the 5 Live Boxing podcast, with Steve Bunce and BBC Sport bringing you daily episodes from Manchester.
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What time are the ringwalks for Wardley v Dubois?
The first fight begins at 18:00 on DAZN PPV.
Wardley v Dubois ringwalks are expected around 22:30, but as always, this depends on how the undercard fights go.
Wardley v Dubois undercard & running order
Fabio Wardley v Daniel Dubois – WBO heavyweight world title
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Callum Morrell v Zac Chelli – light-heavyweight
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Jack Rafferty v Ekow Essuman – light-welterweight
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Bakhodir Jalolov v Agron Samkici – heavyweight
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Liam Cameron v Bradley Rea – light-heavyweight
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Khaleel Majid v Gavin Gwynne – light-welterweight
How do Wardley and Dubois’ records compare?
Wardley and Dubois are both known as knockout artists. Dubois boasts 21 in 22 wins while Wardley has 19 in 20 victories. That gives them both a knockout rate of 95% in their wins.
While Dubois has three fights at world title level, winning one, Wardley is in unfamilar territory in his maiden world championship fight.
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Dubois has faced the better opposition as well, with two bouts against Oleksandr Usyk and wins over Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller and Anthony Joshua.
Wardley’s best victory was against Joseph Parker in his last outing, but has also beaten Frazer Clarke and Justis Huni.
On paper, not much separates them in terms of reach or height, but the experience at the top level may well prove the difference.
Form is on 31-year-old’s Wardley’s side, with his only blemish since making his pro debut in 2017 being a draw with Clarke in 2024.
Dubois is coming into the contest off the back of defeat by Usyk, another crushing encounter with the Ukrainian last July and three victories in between.
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Which belts are on the line – and will winner fight Usyk?
Wardley’s WBO world title is the on the line, with Dubois aiming to become a two-time heavyweight world champion.
Wardley was upgraded to full world champion in November after beating Joseph Parker when Oleksandr Usyk decided to vacate the belt.
Usyk, 39, holds the other belts but will defend only one of them, the WBC, against Rico Verhoeven on 23 May.
It is unclear what Usyk might decide to do next, but he has expressed an interest in fighting the winner of Wardley v Dubois.
Whether that would be for the undisputed championship is anyone’s guess, with the WBC’s number one challenger Agit Kabayel expected to be given the next crack at Usyk, should he retain his world title.
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Wardley v Dubois fight week schedule
Thursday: News conference from 14:00 BST in Manchester
Friday: Weigh-in from 18:00 BST at the Bowles Exhibition Centre in Manchester
More boxing from the BBC
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