Tony Bellew believes Fabio Wardley can beat Daniel Dubois this Saturday, providing he weathers an early storm.
Wardley defends his WBO heavyweight world title in an eagerly-anticipated showdown with Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, live on DAZN.
16 of Dubois’ 21 knockout victories have come inside the first four rounds and Bellew believes it’s imperative that Wardley survives the early onslaught.
“Once it goes past three or four rounds, it probably only goes one way,” the 43-year-old said on Fight Your Corner.
“But those first three or four rounds, Fabio could be in trouble.
“He has to put a dent in Daniel Dubois within the first couple of minutes of the fight.
“Daniel Dubois is a bully when it comes to boxing and bullies don’t tend to do well when it starts going against them.
“As an on top fighter, Daniel Dubois is a problem.
“So you’ve got to put a dent in him within the first couple of minutes and start zapping away at his confidence, because if you let him get any confidence you’re in a world of trouble.
“Wardley’s the only one that can win late.”
Dubois, who heads in as the underdog with the bookmakers, vies to become a two-time heavyweight world champion, having previously held the IBF belt.
The 28-year-old knocked out Anthony Joshua in a career-best victory in 2024, but was knocked out in the fifth round of his rematch to Oleksandr Usyk in his last outing in August.
Wardley stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th round in October to claim the WBO interim crown, before being elevated to full champion in November after Usyk relinquished the WBO title.
The British rivals came head-to-head for the second time this week, following a heated final press conference on Thursday.
‘Dynamite’ called out the Ipswich man for what he perceived was disrespect after Wardley claimed the Londoner would be working as a binman if he wasn’t boxing.
“Fabio I heard you called me the dustman and I’m going to collect the trash boy,” a fired up Dubois said.
“It’s disrespect so I’m going to put it right in the ring boy.
“I heard what you said.
“I’m going to burst his bubble anyway.”
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