Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois | DAZN PPV - 9 May 2026

[keithmoonhangover]

I'm not sure why Fury needs a tune up for a fight with Wardley???

Wardley should be the tune up lol

Yeah, I agree.

[stujones]

Chisora is absolutely fine for Wardley. I have no problem with that match up at all.

Who is Wardley's best win where it has not been a come from behind (and controvesial - ish in Huni's case) stoppage. What was his best win where he was ahead of the cards at the time of the stoppage?

Yes a pedantic might even say that is even lower than Frazier Clarke (cos there was no points at the time of the stoppage) but even counting Big Fraz, he's sort of shown his level with the TKV loss.

Derek might help us gauge his level in terms of boxing etc. Yes, Wardley might anhilate him - if Wardley is geniunely world class he SHOULD anhilate him. I don't though think, even at his age, Chisora is as vulnerable as Parker and Huni.

[keithmoonhangover]

Chisora is absolutely fine for Wardley. I have no problem with that match up at all.

I'd watch it.

[Ezzard]

Chisora??? Oh no.

Rematch Parker. Let's have some justice.

[gregregegg]

I weirdly think chisora makes sense.

Given wardly has probably only won 10 of his last 36 rounds... he keeps finding the shot, but nearly everyone is a live dog with him.

Would i rather wardly vs DDD and chisora vs wilder.... Yes. But do i hate wardly vs chisora... no.

[Cent0089]

My problem with Chisora is his age. Would prefer Okolie, Riakporkhe or Ajagba.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois are finalizing a deal for a WBO heavyweight title fight on May 9th in Manchester, UK, sources tell The Ring's @MikeCoppinger.

Yahoo Sports first reported the date.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Most undeserving title Shot.

I thought WBO don’t allow boxers to challenger a world title on a loss??

[Ruthless-RKO]

I hope Dubois gets Smashed!

[gilgamesh]

Most undeserving title Shot.

I thought WBO don’t allow boxers to challenger a world title on a loss??

It doesn't matter because the title doesn't matter. Usyk is the Heavyweight Champion.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Most undeserving title Shot.

I thought WBO don’t allow boxers to challenger a world title on a loss??

It doesn't matter because the title doesn't matter. Usyk is the Heavyweight Champion.

Yh we know that..

[joshj909]

Most undeserving title Shot.

I thought WBO don’t allow boxers to challenger a world title on a loss??

Warren Boxing Organisation

He's so desperately wanted Dubois to become his dominant champion that he could end up becoming a chinny puncher before he's 30.

Dubois definitely has the ability to beat Wardley by winning rounds or by KO but Wardley has a right hand that Dubois won't enjoy taking. I expect Dubois to take a knee and complain about missing the count.

[Perkin Warbeck]

Not easy to predict, it's close to a 50-50 fight. If the Dubois who fought Joshua and Miller shows up, he probably wins. If the version of Dubois who fought Lerena shows up, he loses.

This is the kind of heavyweight matchup I like: a fight where we don't know beforehand who is going to win. We need more like this one.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fabio Wardley, Daniel Dubois finalizing May 9 heavyweight title fight

Wardley, The Ring’s No. 1 heavyweight, enters 2026 on the heels of a breakthrough campaign. The 31-year-old scored a come-from-behind 10th-round KO of Justis Huni in June. Wardley followed that performance with a career-best outing, a thrilling 11th-round TKO victory over former titleholder Joseph Parker.

Wardley (20-0-1, 17 KOs) was a finalist for The Ring’s Fighter of the Year honors, and his win over Parker also received consideration for Upset of the Year.

Following the Parker fight, the WBO ordered Usyk, The Ring’s heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound No. 1 boxer, to defend his title against Wardley. When Usyk relinquished the strap, Wardley was elevated from interim status.

Wardley’s first defense will be an all-British showdown as he takes on former titleholder Dubois. Dubois, The Ring’s No. 3 heavyweight, is coming off a second loss to Usyk inside the distance.

That latest loss was a fifth-round KO in June at Wembley Stadium. Dubois, 28, entered the fight with the IBF title after Usyk vacated in a similar situation to Wardley. Dubois’ career-best win came in September 2024 when he upset Anthony Joshua via fifth-round TKO at Wembley.

Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) also owns stoppage victories over heavyweight contenders Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.

DAZN news first reported the May 9 date.

[Frostieballs]

Good fight.

Got a sneaking suspicion for Wardley

DDD isn't going to like the street smarts.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fabio Wardley set for May 9 title defense against Daniel Dubois in Manchester

The rumoured heavyweight blockbuster between WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley and former IBF ruler Daniel Dubois is said to be nearing completion.

Sources have told BS that an announcement could be made as early as this week, with the formidable heavyweights set to fight on May 9 in Manchester.

It is thought the show will be a Queensberry Promotions event, as they continue to exhibit their dominance of the heavyweight marketplace.

Wardley was awarded the title when, having defeated Joseph Parker in an eliminator for the top spot with the WBO, champion Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt.

Last year was an exceptional one for the Ipswich heavyweight, who came from behind to stop Justis Huni in dramatic fashion before upsetting the touted New Zealander, Parker, in November.

Dubois fought just once in 2025, losing a rematch to Usyk at Wembley Stadium in July.

He then left trainer Don Charles, started working with Tony Sims but was recently reunited with Charles. He also has not boxed since signing with new manager Sam Jones.

Earlier this week on his social media channels, Dubois’ account posted: “Let’s go Fabio Wardley. Sign the contract and lets get it on.”

Dubois’ CV for a 28-year-old heavyweight – at 22-3 (21 KOs) – is impressive, having twice lost to Usyk but having scalped Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller following a 2020 damaged eye loss to Joe Joyce.

What Wardley, 31, has done is equally stellar. After a few white-collar fights, he turned pro and is now 20-0-1 (19 KOs) and the Huni and Parker stoppages followed a violent one-round batter of Frazer Clarke, who the Ben Davison-trained Wardley drew with in the fight before.

Dubois is ranked No. 4 by the WBO, at No. 2 by the WBC, and 10 by the IBF.

Wardley would be making a voluntary defense.

[gilgamesh]

Good fight.

Got a sneaking suspicion for Wardley

DDD isn't going to like the street smarts.

Plus Dubois only has heart for the fights he's gonna win comfortably. When the going gets tough. Wardley has just begun while Dubois is looking for a place to fall.

[mickey1975]

A lot of big heavyweight fights at once. The same people tend to go these sort of events and it’s an expensive night let alone two or three of them. I’m sitting them out but will go to Germany if Kabayel gets a live one.

[mickey1975]

Most undeserving title Shot.

I thought WBO don’t allow boxers to challenger a world title on a loss??

He’s a legitimate top ten contender, no doubt about it. I think he stops Wardley.

[magnus]

I like this fight a lot.

A loss (or two) against the best heavyweight of his generation doesn't make Dubois a bad fighter.

Importantly for British boxing in 2026 this should shift plenty of tickets too. Not many shows are killing it at the box office currently.

[Oiky]

love this fight I reckon Wardley weighs DDD in

[mickey1975]

I like this fight a lot.

A loss (or two) against the best heavyweight of his generation doesn't make Dubois a bad fighter.

Importantly for British boxing in 2026 this should shift plenty of tickets too. Not many shows are killing it at the box office currently.

Nottingham is sold out, Fury will do very well, Dave Allen and Callum Simpson shows were very respectable as are sales for the Mag 7 card.

[paultom]

Wardley by ko

[Taansend]

Good fight.

Got a sneaking suspicion for Wardley

DDD isn't going to like the street smarts.

Plus Dubois only has heart for the fights he's gonna win comfortably. When the going gets tough. Wardley has just begun while Dubois is looking for a place to fall.

That definitely wasn't the case in the Hrgovic fight. He was getting battered early on, against a strong undefeated fighter, and gutted through.

[MasterG]

Manchester that's brilliant. Will be taking the young lad to see that