Boxing Feb 14, 2026

Fabio Wardley is finalising terms for a WBO heavyweight title defence against Daniel Dubois on May 9.

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Fabio Wardley is finalising terms for a WBO heavyweight title defence against Daniel Dubois on May 9.

Fabio Wardley is finalising terms for a WBO heavyweight title defence against Daniel Dubois on May 9.

WBO champion Wardley will make the first defence of his belt against Dubois in a big all-British battle at a venue in the UK, which is yet to be confirmed.

Wardley was crowned as the new WBO title holder after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt instead of making a mandatory title defence against the unbeaten Brit.

The Ipswich boxer had claimed the WBO interim belt in October following a stunning 11th-round stoppage of Joseph Parker at The O2.

Dubois has reunited with trainer Don Charles as he attempts to regain a world title following his knockout loss to Usyk in their Wembley rematch in July.

The Londoner had previously defended the IBF belt with a dramatic knockout win over Anthony Joshua last September.

Speaking last week, Wardley's manager Mike Ofo told Your Site: "Fabio wanted to fight Oleksandr Usyk after beating Joseph Parker but he chose to pursue Deontay Wilder instead. Now that fight has fallen through, Fabio wants a unification fight with Usyk for all the belts.

"We were pursuing a fight with Chisora or Wilder for April 4, but they took refuge in each other's arms and as you can see from the presser, they are acting like a loved up couple. But boxing's a tough sport so I wish them all the best for the future.

"As for Daniel Dubois, clearly that's a fight that Fabio would be well up for. There's nothing like an all-British showdown for the world heavyweight title!"

When asked about a Wardley vs Dubois fight, promoter Frank Warren told Your Site: "We're talking to Fabio about various things and also to Daniel.

"Whatever happens they've both got to fight, they both want to fight and they will fight.

"So they'll probably fight end of April early May."

Watch the Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper bill live on Your Site on Sunday April 5

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Chantelle Cameron looks to break new ground: 'With three-minute rounds I would have knocked out Katie Taylor!'

Chantelle Cameron looks to break new ground: 'With three-minute rounds I would have knocked out Katie Taylor!'

Chantelle Cameron is set to fight over three-minute rounds, the distance in men's bouts, when she boxes to become a world champion in a second weight...

Amy Andrew continues extraordinary comeback - two children, no sleep and 'carnage' as she boxes on same bill as husband

Amy Andrew continues extraordinary comeback - two children, no sleep and 'carnage' as she boxes on same bill as husband

“I get no sleep.” Two small children will do that to any parent. But factor into that as well training for a boxing match, promoting your first show a...

Tyson Fury to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11 in heavyweight comeback bout

Tyson Fury to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11 in heavyweight comeback bout

Tyson Fury’s comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when he returns to boxing on April 11, according...

Josh Kelly: Conor Benn 'not on my level' but super-welterweight world championship fight can happen at Stadium of Light

Josh Kelly: Conor Benn 'not on my level' but super-welterweight world championship fight can happen at Stadium of Light

Josh Kelly does not consider Conor Benn a worthy challenger for his newly won world championship, but would accept that fight at the Stadium of Light...

Fabio Wardley to defend WBO heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on May 9

Fabio Wardley to defend WBO heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on May 9

Fabio Wardley will face Daniel Dubois in an all-British world heavyweight title fight on Saturday May 9.WBO champion Wardley makes the first defence o...

Tyson Fury wants to fight Oleksandr Usyk again, he wants to be the best, says promoter Frank Warren ahead of comeback

Tyson Fury wants to fight Oleksandr Usyk again, he wants to be the best, says promoter Frank Warren ahead of comeback

Tyson Fury will target his old rival Oleksandr Usyk after his comeback fight, says promoter Frank Warren.Fury will return to boxing to take on Arslanb...