Eddie Hearn believes WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley will keep his title against Daniel Dubois — and do it inside the distance.
A major British heavyweight fight is headed to Manchester on May 9, with Fabio Wardley scheduled to defend his WBO title against Daniel Dubois. Ahead of the bout, promoter Eddie Hearn said he expects Wardley to break Dubois down and get a stoppage late in the fight.
That prediction carries some weight because the heavyweight division is starving for clarity beyond its top names, and this matchup could push the winner into an even bigger payday later this year. For Wardley, it is a chance to prove his title run is more than a breakout moment. For Dubois, it is an opportunity to reassert himself as a legitimate threat in a crowded championship picture.
Hearn told Boxing News that Wardley has made him look foolish before. He said he had picked against Wardley in at least five of his recent fights, only to regret it each time. This time, Hearn said he believes Wardley will stop Dubois in the later rounds.
The matchup is compelling because the two heavyweights bring different questions into the ring. Wardley has built a reputation for forcing doubters to rethink him, while Dubois remains one of the division’s most dangerous punchers when he can establish rhythm early. If Wardley drags the fight deep, that would reinforce the idea that his composure and stamina are becoming real championship assets. If Dubois lands first and takes control, the division suddenly has another serious player back in the mix.
From an American boxing perspective, this is exactly the kind of domestic heavyweight fight fans say they want more often — a meaningful matchup between recognizable contenders with real stakes, not a stay-busy defense. Manchester should give it the right atmosphere, too, with a partisan crowd and the kind of tension that usually makes heavyweight fights feel bigger once the bell rings.
Wardley vs. Dubois is the kind of fight that can reshape the next tier of the heavyweight division, and what happens after May 9 will depend on whether Wardley can once again prove the doubters wrong.
