Fabio Wardley will defend his WBO heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena on May 9. The matchup has already drawn major attention due to the knockout power both fighters bring into the ring. Recently, promoter Eddie Hearn weighed in and shared his prediction for the fight.
Wardley earned his position after stopping Joseph Parker in the 11th round of their interim title fight last October. He later became the full champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.
Both fighters carry serious finishing ability. Between them, Wardley and Dubois have recorded 40 stoppage victories. That level of power has shaped expectations around the fight.
Promoters have branded the bout ‘Don’t Blink,’ a clear signal that the contest could end suddenly. With two aggressive heavyweights willing to trade, the risk of a quick finish remains high.
Wardley has built his recent success on timing and pressure. Dubois, meanwhile, relies on raw power and physical strength. The clash of styles adds another layer of intrigue.
Hearn backs Wardley despite past doubts
Hearn has shared his prediction ahead of the fight. Interestingly, he admitted that Wardley has repeatedly proven him wrong in the past.
“I’ve backed against Wardley about the last five times, and he’s proved me wrong the last five times,” Hearn said [quote shared by Boxingnewsonline].
Despite that history, Hearn now leans toward Wardley once again.
“I don’t even really want to back him, but if you ask me honestly, I believe Wardley will stop Daniel Dubois late in the fight,” he predicted.
His prediction points toward a competitive contest early on, before Wardley potentially takes control in the later rounds.
Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Wardley vs Dubois
Hamed believes the clash between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley will answer all the questions around both fighters.
He expects Dubois to deliver the best performance of his career and make it a very tough fight for Wardley if he sticks to his boxing ability.
“I think that this fight is going to show us and answer every question that you want. I think that you are going to see Daniel Dubois probably fight the fight of his life,” Hameed said. “So, I think that, if he boxes the way that he can fight, I think that he is going to make it very, very hard for Fabio.”
For Wardley, this fight represents more than just a title defense. It is a chance to validate his status as a world champion against a recognized name in the division.
His victory over Parker already showed his ability to perform under pressure. A win over Dubois would further strengthen his position among the top heavyweights.
As for Dubois, he faces a champion who has built confidence through recent performances and continues to exceed expectations.