Boxing
Wardley vs. Dubois is the real British heavyweight showdown, not Fury vs. Joshua
Wardley vs. Dubois: Only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Saturday night will see the best heavyweight fight of the year take place, and it does not involve either Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua.
Instead, it’s WBO world heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley facing former IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois, exclusively live on DAZN PPV and DAZN Ultimate.
Shockwaves were felt when it was finally confirmed British heavyweight stalwarts Fury and Joshua will meet towards the end of this year, but it won’t be a display of boxing excellence; it’s a case of who has enough left.
Wardley and Dubois trash talk ahead of world title fight
Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier - Saturday, May 9 - Buy here
Meanwhile, Wardley-Dubois sees two of the country’s best heavyweights go head-to-head after having forged a reputation for themselves as devastating knockout punchers.
Each boasting a 95% knockout ratio, this fight SHOULD NOT go the distance, and with both men at the peak of their powers, this is the true British heavyweight showdown of 2026.
Wardley vs. Dubois on par with Fury-Wilder trilogy fight says Warren
If there is one promoter who has a stranglehold on the heavyweight division, it’s Frank Warren.
Not only does he have Wardley and Dubois in his stable, but Warren is also in control of Fury, Moses Itauma and WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel, to name a few.
With 45 years of boxing promotion under his belt, Warren has been involved in staging some of the biggest heavyweight fights, including Fury’s thrilling trilogy with Deontay Wilder.
The third fight was one of the best heavyweight encounters in recent memory as both men produced a slugfest in Las Vegas five years ago, which Fury won by knockout.
In Warren’s eyes, Saturday’s meeting between Wardley and Dubois has everything to be similar or even beat that heavyweight classic.
“This is on par with that because they’re punchers,” Warren said.
“That is what is going to make this so exciting, I believe this has all the ingredients to be as exciting as that.”
Focusing on Saturday's main event, Warren is also expecting an all-action encounter, labelling Dubois as the toughest test he’s faced.
“The one thing about both of these guys is that they do not take a backwards step. I’ve watched all their fights, that’s how it is.
“This is going to be about power, and somebody using their brain, someone using their physical attributes.
“They both can punch. This is without a doubt the biggest puncher Fabio Wardley will have fought.”
Wardley vs. Dubois winner becomes ‘The Governor of British Boxing’
Ahead of the opening bell, Wardley and Dubois find themselves close to the top of the British heavyweight ladder where a changing of the guard is underway.
For Dubois, Saturday’s fight presents the chance for him to become what he called “The Governor of British Boxing”, with the winner establishing themselves as arguably the country’s best heavyweight.
“Definitely, you are going to see on the night. The best fight,” Dubois responded when asked whether his meeting with Wardley would be better than Fury-Joshua.
“This is for who the governor is in British boxing.”
Daniel Dubois insists he has no scars from past defeats
Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier - Saturday, May 9 - Buy here
Dubois is a fighter who speaks very few words, but one thing is for sure: he is ready to stop Wardley’s rapid rise.
With every passing fight, Wardley gets better and better, and the finishes become more and more dramatic.
However, Dubois has labelled Wardley’s success as “lucky” and stated that he will kill Wardley’s career at Manchester's Co-op Live.
“His luck runs out when he comes up against me.
“You’ve seen him keep coming back from the dead; this time he stays dead, RIP.
“Rest in peace Fabio Wardley.”
Then, a menacing laugh followed from Dubois, who was speaking to DAZN News and other reporters on Zoom from Don Charles’ gym near London.
Wardley and Dubois can set a tough act for Fury and Joshua to follow
This WBO world heavyweight title fight should be a Fight of the Year contender.
Wardley and Dubois are two deadly knockout punchers, and neither man will want to leave it to chance on the judges’ scorecards.
Not only will their respective coaching teams demand a knockout finish, but also those watching in the arena and around the world.
Unlike their peers, Fury and Joshua, a fight of this magnitude and status was easy to make, according to Warren, with both men stating on separate occasions of wanting to make a deal.
“Both of them talked about it separately, and it wasn’t a problem making this, Daniel,” Warren said during a Zoom media call with Dubois.
“You nearly bit my hand off, and Fabio said he wanted it, so that was it.”
Who has the better knockout punch?
Watch: Wardley vs. Dubois Top 10 knockouts
Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier - Saturday, May 9 - Buy here
Already in the build-up, Wardley and Dubois have shown Fury and Joshua that it does not need to be dominated by outlandish callouts and awkward verbal stalemates.
Both acknowledge the other’s achievements and know their abilities alone sell this world title contest.
Now all that is left to do is for Wardley and Dubois to do battle inside the Co-op Live, and show that this fight is the true British heavyweight grudge match, not one which may have come too little, too late.
Watch Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on 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.
For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.
