Daniel Dubois won a chaotic instant classic with Fabio Wardley on Saturday night, climbing off the canvas twice to win the WBO heavyweight title.
Wardley dropped his fellow Briton with what might have been the second punch he threw, and Dubois went down again in the third frame. At that juncture, a victory for the 28-year-old seemed beyond improbable.
But Dubois, a former IBF champion, finally silenced the longstanding questions about his heart to turn the tide. He gradually dismantled Wardley, 31, whose nose was a bloody mess and whose eye was close to shutting.
After the referee seemed to consider stopping the bout a few times, he ultimately awarded Dubois an 11th-round win in Manchester. With that, Wardley was beaten for the first time.
Re-live the action from Wardley vs Dubois below.
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Wardley and Dubois could be the best of the bloody all-British heavyweight fights
Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois
- Daniel Dubois stops Fabio Wardley to win WBO heavyweight title
- Dubois climbs off canvas in rounds one and three in Manchester
- Challenger somehow turns tide to seal 11th-round finish of fellow Briton
- Event streamed live exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view
How Indy Sport’s Steve Bunce predicted instant classic
09:00 , Alex PattleAnd here’s what our columnist Steve Bunce wrote pre-fight:
“There was a time when nobody was on the British list of heavyweight world champions, just a long line of men, bloody and beaten in painful defeats.
“It felt like a century of failure with Henry Cooper splattered in his own blood, Don Cockell smashed to pieces, Joe Bugner, Frank Bruno and Brian London all falling way short in world-title fights against the best Americans. Now, that all feels like ancient history.
“It’s all changed, on Saturday in Manchester, Fabio Wardley defends his WBO title against Daniel Dubois. It is the ninth all-British heavyweight title fight in just over 30 years. It might just be the most spectacular, and it might just end up being the best.”
I think you were right, Steve.
How Dubois’ performance analyst talked up his resilience pre-fight
08:00 , Alex PattleBefore tonight’s fight, I spoke to Dubois’s head of boxing performance analysis – the aptly-named Mohammed Ali – and he said:
“Think about it: he’s always come back stronger after defeats.
“It’s in his DNA, you’ve either got it or you don’t,” he added – a twist on the narrative that Dubois’s make-up is not actually that of a survivor during tough fights.
Ali even referenced Dubois’s ancestry and the link to Sylvia Dubois, an African-American slave in the 19th century, who earned her freedom as a bare-knuckle boxer.
“People criticise certain things about Daniel, but they don’t realise his mindset, resilience and durability. That’s just hardlined.”
Wardley vs Dubois in photos
07:00 , Alex Pattle
Dubois’ agent: ‘Best sport in the world’
06:00 , Alex PattleDuring Dubois’s post-fight press conference, The Independent was stood by Sam Jones, who is Dubois’s agent.
Jones was understandably giddy, and said under his breath at one point, “Best sport in the world,” echoing what Warren was saying on stage at the time.
Wardley vs Dubois in photos
05:00 , Alex Pattle
What next for Wardley and Dubois?
04:00 , Alex PattleWarren revealed that there is a rematch clause, but he was coy on what is next for Dubois.
Dubois, for his part, said he wants a lengthy reign this time.
Moses Itauma looms, but is he next for Dubois?
Based on tonight, as harsh as it is to say, you’d probably fancy Itauma’s killer instincts to get him past Dubois or (his own teammate) Wardley.
Aside from Dubois’s WBO belt, Usyk holds the remaining world titles, but he has beaten Dubois twice.
Warren: ‘Best heavyweight fight I’ve ever put on’
03:00 , Alex PattleThat’s Frank Warren’s take on Saturday’s main event.
Wardley vs Dubois in photos
02:00 , Alex Pattle
Wardley vs Dubois in photos
01:00 , Alex Pattle
Distilling that chaotic classic
Sunday 10 May 2026 00:45 , Alex PattleRingside report from Manchester:
Daniel Dubois climbs off canvas twice to dismantle Fabio Wardley in chaotic classic
Wardley vs Dubois in photos
Sunday 10 May 2026 00:30 , Alex Pattle
Wardley vs Dubois in photos
Sunday 10 May 2026 00:15 , Alex Pattle
Wardley vs Dubois in photos
Sunday 10 May 2026 00:00 , Alex Pattle
What next? A rematch? Frank Warren makes revelation...
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:51 , Alex PattleFrank Warren confirms that there is a rematch clause.
Wardley thanks crowd on way out
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:48 , Alex PattleWardley applauds the crowd on his way out of the ring.
Noel Gallagher walks past The Independent on his way out.
Dubois reflects on fight
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:47 , Alex PattleDubois: “I know I’ve got heart, bundles of heart. I’m a warrior in there.
“[The first knockdown was a] flash knockdown, you have to get back up and come back harder, man. I’m a warrior.
“I thank Fabio for a great fight, man. I thank this team, and we move on now. All glory to God for this victory.”
IT’S ALL OVER
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:42 , Alex PattleRound 11
The first offence from Dubois, in this penultimate round, forces the ref to step in!!
It’s all over, mercifully for Wardley.
Dubois, up off the canvas twice, is your new WBO heavyweight champion. Two-time world champion.
Any questions about his heart now?
Na.
Two rounds left
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:39 , Alex Pattle
Should this fight be stopped?
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:38 , Alex PattleRound 10
Again Wardley is inspected, this time due to his eyes – one of which is nearly closed, and the other of which is also bad. AGAIN he is allowed to continue, to the sound of cheers.
The crowd is singing his name. He deserves all the credit in the world, but should this fight be continuing??
Big cross by Dubois, who then holds the Ipswich fighter. The ref takes a longgggg look at Wardley.
Wardley with a clean cross out of nowhere! Can he follow up? No, not quite.
Wardley spits out more blood, before Dubois throws a series of body shots.
HUGE one-two on Wardley, just before the bell...
Wardley lucky not to see fight stopped – twice
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:34 , Alex PattleRound nine
There are boos early in round nine, as the ref orders Wardley’s nose to be inspected. It’s a historic injury, and it’s caused him all sorts of trouble tonight... but he’s allowed to box – cheers in the Co-op Live!
Dubois corners Wardley, who misses with a one-two. Both men trade heavy leather, both landing. Uppercut and hook are there for Wardley, and Dubois holds on!
OH!!! Dubois has Wardley out on his feet, but the ref is giving lots of leeway, presumably due to Wardley’s early success! Dubois is all over the champ!!
Wardley hears the bell, but he’s in a bad, bad way right now. He could have seen it called off there.
This is a CLASSIC, people.
Dubois staggers Wardley with heavy hook
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:30 , Alex PattleRound eight
Beautiful one-two by Dubois, but yet again he smothers his work along the ropes.
Wardley can’t quite find the timing or accuracy on his cross. He has eaten a fair few jabs tonight while missing with it, too.
Wardley spits out more blood. Jab, cross, hook by Dubois!
A left hook has Wardley staggering all over the place! Now a one-two tags him!
He makes it to the bell. And breathe...
Chaos continues as fight enters second half
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:26 , Alex PattleRound seven
Dubois is still on top here, but there’s a chant for Wardley.
Wardley misses with an overhand. His face... He looks like a zombie.
Clean one-two by Dubois! Wardley shoves him away in the corner.
Another straight by Dubois, but Wardley is swinging BIGGG now!!!
He lands a right hook, and the crowd is DEAFENING. It’s another wild end to the round.
A strong finish by Wardley, but maybe another Dubois round? He might have overturned Wardley’s lead.
Dubois close to finding a finish??
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:22 , Alex PattleRound six
Dubois is on the front foot now. He might be leading three rounds to do, before you factor in that his lost rounds were 10-8s.
Good cross by Dubois. Nice jab by Wardley, but Dubois lands his own. One-two by Dubois. He steps in on another one-two, before adding further shots. Wardley holds him.
Wardley covers up and skips away under some offence by Dubois.
Wardley winces. He looks like he's in trouble at the moment.
WOWWW, this is chaos! Dubois goes in search of a finish and looks close, but Wardley is still throwing back.
How do they make it to the bell??? Wardley's ose is a bloody mess.
Great round for Dubois.
Each man has a damaged eye
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:17 , Alex PattleRound five
Wardley stumbles, but it might have been from a trip... Dubois steps in with a left hook now.
Now Wardley's feet buckle, but he composes himself! This is on a KNIFE EDGE.
Another right hand has Wardley on slightly unsteady legs. He fires back to the body, though.
Dubois’s left eye is in a bad way. He jabs well, though.
Now a flurry to the body of Wardley, whose right eye is cut and swollen.
Dubois dropped twice early
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:15 , Alex Pattle
Dubois fires back in strong round for challenger!
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:13 , Alex PattleRound four
BIGGGG cross from Dubois, and Wardley doesn’t like that! The crowd “oooh”s as Wardley backs off...
Wardley eats another clean shot, but Dubois smothers his work again.
Credit to Dubois for his heart, which has been questioned so often over the years.
CLEAN cross, how does Wardley take that one?? Now a left and a right, is he in trouble?
Wardley spits out some saliva. Hard Dubois jab. Dubois misses with an overhand.
WARDLEY DROPS DUBOIS AGAIN
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:09 , Alex PattleRound three
OH!!! Another massive shot from Wardley, and Dubois takes a knee!
He beats the count! Is he on borrowed time, though??
Wardley tries another but misses big.
Hard jabs by Dubois, who then grapples against the ropes. Another right hand miss by Wardley, a cross.
Wardley with a jab, but the follow-up cross is out of range. Big overhand by Dubois, and Wardley retreats!!
Harsh jab by Dubois, that’s working well. Wardley with his own jab.
Wardley vs Dubois approaches round three
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:06 , Alex Pattle
Dubois regains composure but tension remains
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:05 , Alex PattleRound two
Piston jab by Dubois, then a right cross over the top. Wardley is really leaning over his front foot when he throws his own cross.
Clubbing right hook by Dubois. Jab by Wardley. Deep breaths from both men. Another Dubois jab.
Dubois gets through with a couple more right straights. This is precarious for Wardley. Each man lands a jab.
Dubois is smothering his work against the ropes at times, but Wardley is overshooting with his cross.
A Dubois round?
DUBOIS GOES DOWN IN ROUND ONE
Saturday 9 May 2026 23:01 , Alex PattleRound one
Big overhand effort from Wardley immediately... OH, MY GOD! He sits down Dubois with his second punch!!
Dubois beats the ref’s count, but how long will this go?? My heart is racing.
Dubois with a right that has Wardley recoiling. This is chaos.
Wow, now Dubois tackles Wardley to the floor! He tried to grab him, and the momentum took them both over.
Decent jabs from both men. A shot staggers Wardley. More jabs. Right hook from Wardley.
More jabs from Dubois, timely. Dubois misses with an uppercut, then Wardley catapults off the ropes and misses with a cross.
Wardley vs Dubois: First bell!
Saturday 9 May 2026 22:56 , Alex PattleHERE, WE, GO! Great atmosphere in the arena!
Daniel Dubois arrives late after traffic issues...
Saturday 9 May 2026 21:12 , Alex PattleDubois seemed to arrive about 45 minutes ago, after getting stuck in traffic – per DAZN. Now, yes, there are still almost two hours until he fights, but this is not exactly ideal...
Remember, much was made of his tardy arrival at Wembley last summer, after a “gathering” at his family home, before he was stopped by Usyk again.
The Independent saw Dubois’s agent Sam Jones here at 6.30pm, when we arrived; is it possible that the rest of the team didn’t factor in traffic from Man City’s home game vs Brentford?
That finished not too long ago, with the Etihad Stadium right next to the Co-op Live.
Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois LIVE: Who is favourite?
Saturday 9 May 2026 17:24 , Alex PattleBetting sites give a slight edge to the champion, with Wardley odds-on for the win over Dubois, who is around the even-money mark with most bookies.
Wardley - 5/6
Dubois - 21/20
Draw - 18/1
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Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois LIVE: How to watch fight
Saturday 9 May 2026 17:12 , Alex PattleThe action will stream live on DAZN pay-per-view at a cost of £24.99. You do not need a DAZN subscription to purchase the event, but plans are available here and start at £15.99 per month.
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