Daniel Dubois returned to the ring last night as he stopped reigning WBO world champion Fabio Wardley.
Dubois’ win over Wardley marked the first loss on the record of the man from Ipswich.
After 10 months out of the ring, ‘DDD’ picked up a real statement win against the unbeaten champion, though many questioned Dubois going straight into such a tough fight.
He faced adversity just seconds into the contest when he was clipped and dropped by the first shot his opponent landed.
Dubois showed great experience throughout the fight. He was dropped again in the third but managed to compose himself after facing further adversity.
‘Dynamite’ put on a showcase of technical ability, composure and brute power throughout until the referee was forced to step in.
He now holds the WBO heavyweight world title and will be looking towards a first defence, with three possible names emerging as potential next opponents.
Moses Itauma
Possibly the fight the boxing public wants most is a showdown with 21-year-old Moses Itauma.
Itauma’s two biggest wins came against Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin just a few weeks ago. Despite his lack of experience on the world stage, many tip him to rule the division.
He currently trains in the same stable as Wardley, so will likely look to learn from his stablemate’s loss in case he ever shares the ring with ‘DDD’.
Sam Jones labelled the fight “inevitable”, while David Coldwell spoke to Pro Boxing Fans and admitted he would edge towards Itauma if he had to pick a winner.
The 21-year-old is pencilled in to return on August 8th, headlining in London for the first time in his career, with promoter Frank Warren confirming his return date.
Oleksandr Usyk
With Dubois now holding the WBO title, he carries the only belt that two-time undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk is missing, meaning they may look to set up a third meeting between the pair.
The Ukrainian has got the better of ‘DDD’ in both of their previous fights, stopping him in the ninth round in 2023 and the fifth round last year.
A trilogy is unlikely, yet remains a possibility should ‘The Cat’ look to become undisputed for the third time.
Usyk returns to the ring on May 23rd against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven and is then expected to defend his WBC title against Agit Kabayel.
Fabio Wardley
After such a brutal fight, a rematch with Wardley next seems unlikely, with the 31-year-old sustaining significant damage.
Promoter Frank Warren did, however, confirm that a rematch clause was included in the contract when the fight was signed, which would presumably be up to Wardley and his team to exercise should they want to.
Many have already taken to social media to say they don’t want to see the fighters face each other next, labelling last night’s bout a “tough watch.”
There is no need for a rematch. It was a fantastic fight but it was quite definitive that Dubois was the better man and Wardley suffered a lot in that one.
Wardley is a tough dude and there are other fights for him
— #RingsideFracas (@Ringside_Fracas) May 9, 2026
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