The stage is set for an electrifying showdown in Manchester this Saturday, as two of Britain’s hardest-hitting heavyweights collide for a world title. Fabio Wardley puts his WBO belt on the line against Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena, and with a combined knockout ratio of 95%, this fight promises fireworks from the opening bell.
Unbeaten Wardley, 31, from Ipswich, makes his first defence since being upgraded from interim to full world champion last year. Across the ring, Londoner Dubois, 28, looks to rebound from his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last summer and claim a second world title. Both men pack devastating power, making it unlikely the judges will be needed.
We’ve gathered predictions from some of boxing’s biggest names to break down this clash of titans.
Oleksandr Usyk – Unified Heavyweight Champion
“This is a good fight. I think Wardley will win. I want it because I think he deserves to win. Good guy.”
Anthony Joshua – Former Heavyweight Champion
“If Wardley can come through those first three rounds, I believe he gets rid of Dubois between six and eight. Dubois is a confidence fighter and a bully—if he gets success early, he’ll build on it and look really strong. But the flip side is when he gets hurt early, his confidence drops, and he starts questioning himself, looking for a way out. If Dubois gets any confidence, this could be over in the first.”
George Groves – Former Super-Middleweight World Champion
“I think Wardley is going to win this fight. Dubois is coming off a loss, which is tough. But Wardley still has a lot to prove—he’s the heavyweight champion of the world but hasn’t had a true world title fight yet. I see the stoppage coming in the second half, maybe rounds six to nine.”
David Haye – Former Heavyweight Champion
“If we get a positive Dubois who uses his jab and skills, I think he can outbox Wardley and stop him in the later rounds. But if he comes out timid, Wardley’s relentless pressure will break him down. It’s a 50-50 fight that hinges on Dubois’ mindset.”
Whether you’re backing the champion’s grit or the challenger’s power, this is a fight no boxing fan should miss. Gear up for the big night with our latest collection of fight-ready apparel—because every champion needs to look the part.