British heavyweight boxing is set for a major domestic collision after it was confirmed that unbeaten champion Fabio Wardley will make the first defence of his WBO world title against former IBF holder Daniel Dubois in a high-risk, high-power showdown in Manchester this May.
The pair will meet at the new Co-op Live on Saturday, May 9, with the bout broadcast live worldwide on DAZN in what promoters are billing as one of the most explosive match-ups available in the division.
It is a fight that brings together two of Britain’s most dangerous punchers, with a combined knockout ratio north of 90 per cent and only one fight each going the distance across their professional careers – raising the strong likelihood that the contest will be settled inside the distance.
Wardley, 30, was upgraded to full WBO champion after stopping Joseph Parker in dramatic fashion last October, capping a rapid rise that has seen him move from white-collar boxing to world champion in just a handful of years.
The Ipswich fighter has built a reputation as a late-fight finisher, most notably in comeback wins over Justis Huni and Frazer Clarke.
Rather than take a lower-risk first defence, Wardley has opted to face one of the division’s most proven operators.
Fabio Wardley (pictured above) will make the first defence of his WBO world title against former IBF holder Daniel Dubois
Daniel Dubois has not fought since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk (pictured above)
Dubois, 28, is coming off a run of major fights at world level and challenged for the undisputed heavyweight crown against Oleksandr Usyk last summer.
He previously stopped Anthony Joshua in front of a packed Wembley Stadium to claim IBF honours and has recorded 21 knockouts in 22 wins.
The Londoner did not hold back in his reaction to the announcement, warning that Wardley’s title reign will be short-lived and declaring his intention to become a two-time world champion.
Promoter Frank Warren said the fight continues a long tradition of domestic heavyweight title clashes, pointing to past all-British world title nights involving Tyson Fury, Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora, David Haye and Audley Harrison, as well as Lennox Lewis v Frank Bruno in the 1990s.
The bout will be available on DAZN pay-per-view as part of the broadcaster’s expanding slate of heavyweight events, with further undercard details expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
