Boxing
Wardley vs Dubois is the heavyweight war boxing rarely delivers and we crave
Wardley vs. Dubois on DAZN TONIGHT - BUY HERE NOW
Too often in this sport, especially at heavyweight, we are guilty of reaching for the lazy cliches and emotive words when previewing a bout - explosive, brutal, mouthwatering, fight of the year contender. I admit I am guilty of that myself.
We forget there is a reason this is the sweet science, it is more than brute strength and heart. It's the technique, the footwork, the micro skills, the timing, the tactics. As much about the strengthen in the head as in the arms.
None more so have we recently witnessed these elements than in the double epic battles between heavyweight greats Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, and Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, at light heavyweight.
All four displayed everything you want to see in the complete fighter - from the grace to the power.
"This only ends one way"
Watch: Why Frank Warren can't wait for Wardley vs Dubois
However, sometimes you get a fight where the cliches and hype phrases are fully justified. Where 'brutal', 'explosive' and 'knockout guarantee' are the only words that can be used.
Tonight, Saturday, May 9, sees a world heavyweight title fight in Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois that can only be described in these terms - and it is these fights the public crave, especially the more casual fan.
While the unbeaten Wardley, with 19 knockouts from 20 wins, and Dubois, 21 KOs from 22 victories, are yet to transcend the sport into the wider public conciseness as their forefathers Fury and Anthony Joshua have done so successfully over the last decade, Saturday night offers both the chance to move a giant step closer to that achievement and the riches it unfolds.
AJ and Fury did not just become household names as soon as they stepped into the ring, their fame rose from their epic bouts - the ones that truly caught the public attention and admiration.
Queensberry
Fury's trilogy with Deontay Wilder. Joshua's gripping Wembley rollercoaster with Wladimir Klitschko back in 2017.
I still remember standing in a packed Leeds bar, feeling the tension of a transfixed crowd, not daring to take their eyes off the screens in fear of missing another twist, another destructive connection, another knockdown.
It is these moments that draw in new fans, creates new loves, and reminds us old guard why we are addicted to this fine sport. Our love for a fighter blooms when we witness them fighting with everything they have, suffering, losing, then somehow finding the way to win.
Think of the recent classic, Chris Eubank Jr. versus Conor Benn 1, the tactics, the science thrown out the window, just two men going at it with everything they've got. We were all blown away.
Wardley and Dubois only ends one way
It is why no one should miss this fight in Manchester and why there is such genuine anticipation and excitement around it.A true 50/50 that WILL end with a knockout.
Whoever wins will have to give more than they have ever given before. Display those traits, go to a darker place than you've ever been before and come out as the victor and reap the worldly rewards you deserve.
Queensberry's Frank Warren, promoting both of these fighters, has of course seen it all before. But seeing him this week and hearing him speak, you can see there is something different about him.
There is an extra glint in his eye, an extra bounce in his step. He knows he has something extra special here - a fight that will light up not just the UK but the world.
"We've called this fight card 'Don't Blink' for a reason," Warren told DAZN. "These two are special."
"Do NOT blink because when they guys let these bombs go anything will happen and you will see something special."
"The one thing they have in common is they both fight on the front foot.
"So, as soon as that first bell goes they are going to get down on it and they are going to start throwing bombs."
"They know what they've signed up for. They've signed up for war."
Win a war and win the hearts
As Fury and Joshua look to leave the warzone over the next few years, most likely via their own battle later this year, the heavyweight division and British boxing needs the next massive shoulders to carry the sport forward and bring the public with them.
Wardley has the storyline - from white collar to world champion - and the intelligence and personality to transcend the sport. He would be as comfortable on Question Time and This Morning, as he is in the ring.
While Dubois lacks the same charm and, let's face it, the interest, to do the same, his raw power, and the fear and menace he brings in the ring makes him pure box office - Wembley last year was evidence of that.
Both have the attributes, in differing ways, to be the future face of the heavyweight division - potentially as the undisputed king. However you need more than the skills and personality to do what Joshua, Fury, Bruno and Lewis have achieved.
You have to win a bloody war for the world to truly appreciate and adore you. That is what Saturday night is about. That is why you must not blink.
Watch Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois this Saturday, May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with the Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), Fury vs. Hall (June 13) and Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
