Fabio Wardley has booked his first heavyweight world title defence, a cracking match-up against Daniel Dubois.
The champion from Ipswich beat Joseph Parker last year to take the WBO interim belt and was upgraded to full champion when Oleksandr Usyk decided to vacate. The Ukrainian was coming off the back of a stoppage win over Dubois, who has been out of the ring since but will look to bounce back in the biggest way with this shot at Wardley.
The fight is fantastic news for fans, and Wardley should be commended for not opting for a lesser challenge. As well as being an all-British affair, the pair are two of the division’s most destructive punchers, with 40 knockouts between them. Following reports that both had signed, Queensberry Promotions has now made the news official and announced the fight for May 9 at the Co-op Live, Manchester.
𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 😤🔥
Power meets power when Fabio Wardley defends his WBO World Heavyweight Championship against Daniel Dubois 💥#WardleyDubois | May 9 | @Cooplive, Manchester | Live on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/glf0dcNgPE
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) February 13, 2026
Fans, analysts and fighters are split on who comes out on top, with many feeling Wardley’s momentum and grit can see him keep his undefeated record against ‘Dynamite’ Dubois, who has been stopped in all three of his defeats so far. The challenger, however, would be quick to remind us of an impressive run of wins against Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua to become champion himself in 2024. He will be the the first truly elite puncher Wardley has faced.
This announcement only adds to what looks to be a standout year for boxing’s top division. It will follow Tyson Fury’s comeback – who may target the winner if he comes through – as well as a veteran’s affair between Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Throw in the continued rise of Moses Itauma and whatever Usyk decides to do, as well as Agit Kabayel’s title charge, and the heavyweight division is booming.