Fabio Wardley has urged Daniel Dubois to turn their May 9 WBO heavyweight title clash in Manchester into a straight-up brawl from the opening bell.
Dubois, known for his devastating power, was the last man to stop Anthony Joshua with a knockout at Wembley in 2024. After losing the IBF title to Oleksandr Usyk, Dubois heads into the Wardley fight intent on becoming a two-time world champion.
Wardley, who claimed the WBO belt by beating Joseph Parker last year, is a proven finisher himself — he stopped Justis Huni late and produced an early stoppage over Frazer Clarke in their rematch. He says his team plans to come forward and apply pressure from the start rather than use a measured, long-range game.
Talking to Sky Sports News, Wardley explained the strategy: get in Dubois’s face, trade punches and see what lands, because when two heavyweights meet either man can change the fight at any moment. He added he doesn’t want to waste time and hopes Dubois is similarly eager to engage.