Fabio Wardley has shared his first public message following his dramatic stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in their brutal heavyweight clash at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
Wardley and Dubois delivered one of the most talked-about fights of the year, with both heavyweights exchanging knockdowns and huge shots before Dubois eventually secured the stoppage victory in round 11 to capture the WBO heavyweight belt.
Following the defeat, Wardley took to Instagram and reflected emotionally on the battle.
Wardley says his heart never failed him
In his message, Wardley admitted the fight physically pushed him to his limit but insisted his fighting spirit never disappeared throughout the contest.
“My body failed me, but not my heart. And that I can live with…” Wardley wrote.
Despite suffering the first defeat of his professional career, Wardley also showed respect toward Dubois after the fight.
“Congratulations dubois, thank you for a great fight worthy of the history books.”
The Ipswich native then thanked the fans and the city of Manchester for their support during the event.
“Thank you to the city of Manchester and everyone that has been along on this journey with me.”
Wardley dropped Dubois in the opening seconds and forced another knockdown in round three before Dubois gradually took over the fight with heavy combinations.
By the later rounds, Wardley’s right eye had completely swollen shut while blood poured from his nose, yet he continued battling until the referee stepped in during round 11.
Frank Warren praises both heavyweights after the fight
Following the bout, promoter Frank Warren praised both fighters for producing an instant heavyweight classic.
“These two guys showed such heart and chins,” Warren said. “It was an amazing fight that had everything.”
Warren also revealed that the contract includes a rematch clause, potentially leaving the door open for another fight between the two heavyweights.
“There’s a rematch clause in the contract,” he said. ”Let’s the dust settle in the heavyweight division. Then we’ll see.”
The veteran promoter also praised Wardley’s toughness and fighting spirit despite the defeat.
“He’s back, and Fabio is not going away either,” Warren said. “He’s a true gutsy man.”
Although Wardley lost the fight, many figures across boxing praised his toughness and willingness to continue fighting through severe damage.
However, some pundits heavily criticised Wardley’s corner for not throwing in the towel earlier, as the 31-year-old absorbed massive shots and the punishment from Dubois became increasingly visible on his face. Many argued that the fight should have been stopped after the eighth round to protect their fighter from further injury.
For Dubois, the victory made him a two-time heavyweight champion, and he will continue this momentum to solidify his legacy as a heavyweight boxer further.