The pre-fight gathering that preceded Daniel Dubois’ rematch with Oleksandr Usyk — after which Dubois was beaten by fifth-round knockout — “can’t happen again,” promoter Frank Warren has said.
Dubois only arrived at Wembley about 90 minutes before his ringwalk, well after Usyk, and reports suggested a party hosted by his father delayed him. Warren warned the same disruption will not be repeated when Dubois meets Fabio Wardley for the WBO world heavyweight title on May 9 in Manchester.
“That can’t happen again. The good thing is they’ll be in Manchester so they’ll be staying in a hotel,” Warren told Sky Sports. He added he was frustrated when Dubois was late for the Usyk rematch — “I was tearing my hair out” — but said there had been a frank discussion afterwards about the need to avoid a repeat.
Dubois said he does not want to dwell on the past. “I don’t want to go on about that,” he told Sky Sports, insisting he is focused on the upcoming fight and on redemption. The heavyweight had a short spell with trainer Tony Sims before returning to coach Don Charles; Warren said the swap and return had been positive, adding: “He’s in a good place at the moment.”
At the launch press conference Dubois refused to shake Wardley’s hand, highlighting the personal edge to the fight. Manager Sam Jones has said Dubois has the attributes to trouble Wardley, while Wardley believes Dubois’ front-foot style will suit him.
Dubois called the Wardley fight “the best fight for me” and vowed to take Wardley’s unbeaten record. “My big chance, my big opportunity and I’ve got to take his 0,” he said. He described the loss to Usyk as a lesson and insisted he is “prepared even more, better than ever,” adding he is “looking solely towards the future.”
Tactically, Dubois said he will use jab, foot movement and speed to break Wardley down and finish him, and vowed not to “freeze in front of a crowd” again. He predicted he will be on top from the first bell and aims to win the world title and hold onto it.
A victory could reopen the path to a big domestic or world fight — Dubois mentioned a potential showdown with Tyson Fury — but he also acknowledged many new challengers are emerging in the heavyweight ranks.