Fabio Wardley is on the verge of finalizing arrangements for a defense of his WBO heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois, scheduled for May 9. This match promises to be an exciting all-British clash, taking place at a yet-to-be-announced venue in the UK.
Wardley earned the WBO championship after Oleksandr Usyk opted not to defend the title against him, allowing the unbeaten British boxer to step into the role of champion.
In October, Wardley captured the WBO interim title by delivering a remarkable 11th-round stoppage against Joseph Parker at The O2 arena, showcasing his skills and determination.
On the other hand, Dubois has recently reunited with his trainer Don Charles in hopes of reclaiming a world title following his knockout defeat to Usyk during their rematch at Wembley last July. Prior to that setback, Dubois had successfully defended the IBF title with a stunning knockout victory over Anthony Joshua in September.
Last week, Wardley's manager, Mike Ofo, shared insights with Sky Sports, revealing that Wardley initially aimed to fight Usyk after his win over Parker. However, Usyk chose to pursue a match against Deontay Wilder instead. With that opportunity now falling through, Wardley is eager for a unification bout with Usyk to consolidate all the heavyweight belts.
"We were looking at arranging a fight with either Derek Chisora or Wilder for April 4, but it seems they have found comfort in each other’s company rather than stepping into the ring. From the press conference, it looks like they’re quite cozy together. Boxing can be a tough sport, so I truly wish them the best moving forward," Ofo remarked.
He continued, "As for Daniel Dubois, that’s definitely a matchup Fabio is excited about. An all-British title fight is always thrilling!"
Promoter Frank Warren also weighed in on the potential Wardley vs. Dubois showdown, stating, "We are currently in discussions with both Fabio and Daniel about various options. Regardless of the specific circumstances, it’s clear they both want to fight, and they will indeed face off. We’re looking at a timeline that suggests a fight could happen in late April or early May."
This upcoming bout is highly anticipated, as it not only involves two prominent British fighters but also carries significant implications for the heavyweight division.
