Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois are set to clash on May 9 at Co-op Live in Manchester for the prestigious WBO heavyweight title, but tensions have flared following a controversial comment made by Wardley regarding Dubois’s potential career outside boxing.
Wardley’s remark, stating, “If he wasn’t a boxer, I think he might just be a bin man or something like that,” has drawn sharp criticism. This statement not only stoked the flames of rivalry but also put a spotlight on the fighters’ contrasting careers. Wardley, at 31, boasts an impressive record of 20 wins, with 19 KOs, while Dubois, aged 28, holds 22 wins and 3 losses, including a knockout defeat by Oleksandr Usyk last July.
The fight is billed as “Don’t Blink,” and expectations are high for both fighters. Wardley will defend his WBO heavyweight title for the first time after securing it with a Round 11 stoppage over Joseph Parker last October. The bout promises to be electrifying, with ring-walks expected around 11 p.m. BST.
Key statistics:
- Wardley’s record: 20 wins (19 KOs), 0 losses, 1 draw
- Dubois’s record: 22 wins (21 KOs), 3 losses
- Total KOs between both fighters: 40
- Date of fight: May 9, 2026
- Location: Co-op Live, Manchester
- Broadcast cost on DAZN pay-per-view: £24.99
- Annual DAZN subscription cost: £119.99; monthly cost: £25.99
- Undercard start time: 6 p.m. BST
The fallout from Wardley’s comments has been swift. Don Charles, Dubois’s trainer, expressed his disbelief, stating, “That’s quite shocking to me; I’m surprised coming from Fabio.” Dubois himself responded to the controversy by saying, “Really, it’s disrespect, but we’ll address that in the ring.” Such exchanges only heighten the stakes in this already heated British boxing rivalry.
The undercard is set to begin at approximately 6 p.m. BST, leading up to what many anticipate will be a defining moment in both fighters’ careers.