WBO heavyweight world champion Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) will make his first title defense against former IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs). The match is officially set for May 9 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. Broadcast — exclusively on DAZN PPV.
The organizers have already dubbed the fight with the slogan "Don't Blink" — and it's not an exaggeration. Two knockout artists with a combined 40 knockouts promise either a fireworks of knockdowns or a very short night.
Wardley burst into the elite last fall when he defeated Joseph Parker by technical knockout in the 11th round in an epic fight to claim the interim WBO title. After Oleksandr Usyk refused a mandatory defense and lost the full belt, Fabio officially became the world champion — and is now ready to prove it was no fluke.
Dubois, on the other hand, is returning from a painful loss: in July, he lost to Usyk by technical knockout in the fifth round in a rematch for the title of undisputed champion. For the 28-year-old Londoner, this will be the sixth title fight of his career.
Promoter Frank Warren called this fight a "collision of two of Britain's most dangerous punchers." The winner is rumored to gain serious prospects for a fight with Tyson Fury by the end of this year.
