Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – Who wins knockout clash?
Fabio Wardley’s first defence of his WBO world heavyweight title will be against former IBF world champion Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday, 9 May, live worldwide on DAZN.
The blockbuster Queensberry Boxing event is aptly titled ‘Don’t Blink’, as each fighter possesses a 95% KO ratio, so with that kind of power on opposite sides, it’s hard to imagine this one going the distance.
With so many experts split down the middle on who takes this, the fight has the feel of a high-stakes Bitz.io’s RPS game, where two evenly matched players throw at the same time and the outcome is decided in a flash. In boxing terms, both men will load up and let fly, and whoever reads the other wrong first is going to sleep.
But who will stand tall while the other is sat down? BBN asked their panel of experts for their predictions:
Carl Froch, Three-time world super-middleweight champion: “On paper, it looks 50/50, but in reality, Daniel Dubois is a clear and quite strong favourite.
“Fabio hasn’t faced such a punch yet. If Dubois enters the ring charged, enjoys the fight, and works to his full potential, he can cause Wardley serious damage and knock him out hard. Possibly even a ‘bad’ knockout.”
Shane McGuigan, Former Daniel Dubois trainer: “You’ve got to use your jab, use your feet, make it boring. That’s the truth. The biggest problem is Daniel’s mindset. He will not listen and he’ll go straight for him. That means he’ll either knock Wardley out, or get knocked out.”
Larry Olubamiwo, Southern Area heavyweight champion: “I think that Dubois has too much power and experience for Fabio, and will stop him late in the fight.”
Wayne Alexander, British, European, World Champion: “I think this fight is good for British boxing, while Wardley is the champion Daniel Dubois has the more experience. Both can bang, but DDD has shown vulnerability against big hitters that’s why I go for Fabio Wardley in what could be a great shootout.”
Danny Connor, Southern Area champion: “What a fight this is! DDD has been around for what seems like forever; he can punch, he is probably the P4P hardest puncher in British heavyweight boxing. I think going back with Don Charles is a good move, my only worry with DDD is the way he reacts when hurt and we have seen Daniel struggle when he’s hurt in the past, Joyce hurt him and finished him and, of course, Usyk has done the job on him twice.
“Wardley as well as being a terrific puncher is also fast, fresh and has youth on his side, he is also a ruthless finisher when he has a man hurt. I fancy Wardley’s youth, tenacity and punching power to prevail in the later rounds by stoppage.”
Abel Sanchez, World champion trainer: “Good matchup, would rather see my guy (Hrgovic) in there with Wardley.
“I’m happy to see Dubois back with his coach; interesting fight, between two big punchers, a fight that may end in a decision. Wardley can’t afford to let Dubois get too big a lead, like he has in previous fights and hope for the miracle punch, so I would favour Dubois, his experience in big fights may be the difference.”
Mark Tibbs, World champion trainer: “Whoever lands first – on point – wins.”
Louis Robinson, Boxing trainer: “What a fight! Credit to both men! Credit to Fabio and the team who could have just taken a steady first defence of the belt and made millions in doing so, then had a tougher one after that. But no, gone straight into the deep end and it seems to me that’s where Fabio is at his best – when in the deep end!
“Also credit to Daniel! Could have had a couple steady fights back to rebuild after the hiccup of losing to Usyk the last time out and the falling out with the team and now back with Don again. But he’s gone straight back in and straight back at world level and it could be a fight where, if he loses, where does he go then? For me, I think Dubois is a confidence fighter and when he has momentum behind him that’s when he is dangerous.
“It’s going to be an absolute good old fashioned shootout and the question of who lands first basically wins the fight! For me, I’ve got to go with the man who has the momentum and the man who seems to just get better when in deep waters and the going gets tough, so with that, I am going for Fabio inside 5.”
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: “With both boxers sharing an equal 95% KO ratio, I think it’s safe to say that this one is not going the distance.
“This is a fight that you could sway back and forth on right the way up to the first bell, but my logic right now is that Dubois has shown more vulnerabilities under heavy fire than Wardley has, in my opinion. So when they both land big on each other – which they will, right from the start – I am predicting Wardley as the one to be able to handle that damage in a better way than Dubois can.
“However, Dubois has the greater experience on the biggest stage and could get off to a better start, especially with Wardley known for having to come from behind for a few of his wins, such as in the Justus Huni and Joseph Parker fights.
“With this being a fight where I strongly believe it ends by KO and not on points, I would have to pick Dubois as the likelier of the two to get hurt. However, a lot of Wardley’s KOs come late on and Dubois has been taken 10 rounds by tough opponents before, such as Kevin Johnson and Jarrell Miller, so this fight could stretch right the way to the end, depending how well they can each take each other’s power.
“For me, I’m picking Wardley to win by KO in rounds 7-12.”
Martin Hillman, Commonwealth Silver super-bantamweight champion: “Exciting fight, both are massive punchers and it could be a case of who lands first.
“I’m slightly favouring Wardley for this one, but wouldn’t be surprised either way.”
Ben Day, Former Southern Area champion: “You know what I like Fabio Wardley, his movement, his repertoire of punches, his angles and shot selection….
“He’s relaxed and confident, he’s doing his thing and I like watching him – love his skills!
“He’s got that middleweight movement as a heavyweight and that’s going to be at his advantage. No disrespect to Daniel at all, he’s dangerous, but only dangerous if he catches Wardley. Dubois is strong with a lovely jab, a little robotic in my opinion, but I’m all for the razzmatazz which Wardley possesses.
“If Wardley does his thing on the night, I’m picking him. Also, I like a fighter that conducts himself well outside the ring also and that’s what he does.
“Cool bloke.”
Burim Sylejmani, Fides Sports Promotion: “I think Daniel Dubois will win because he is the better boxer. Wardley may currently be ahead in the rankings, but I believe Daniel wants to make another push and prove to everyone what he’s capable of.
“In my opinion, this fight will not go the distance. I just can’t see it happening. And I believe that with his trainer [Don] Charles in his corner, Daniel Dubois will definitely win this fight.”
Marshall Kauffman, Kings Boxing Promotion: “This is a very interesting matchup that I as a boxing fan cannot wait to see.
“Wardley has been down and has showed us that he does not have any quit in him and the same goes for Dubois
“These guys both are great punchers and whoever gets caught first could lose but my gut is telling me that Wardley is the better athlete and the more determined boxer of these 2, so I must go with Wardley by KO.”
Donald C Stewart, BBN Columnist: “The Wardley story is the biggest fairytale in boxing. This time round, however, will it end with the villain winning and not the Prince? And how many times are people going to count Wardley out and learn he can win with that one shot… so we should back him…
“The discussions around Dubois and his training might suggest an issue, especially over his dad, but his skill level should see him through this. I go for Dubois by knockout, but can you ever count out Wardley… Can you? like ever? Until who and when?”
Sam Condy, Global Boxing News Editor: “This is a tricky one. Dubois has been in against the best time and time again. He’s seasoned, he can box, and most importantly, he’s dangerous.
“But there is just something slightly ominous about Fabio Wardley. He always seems to find a way, and I have a feeling he will cash in once again.
“If Dubois doesn’t find a stoppage early, I think he will get pulled into a war he won’t be prepared for. I’ve got Wardley by stoppage in the second half of the contest.”
Alexander McGibbon, BBN Writer: “I’m going to go against what a lot of people say and say that Wardley stops him quite early on. I think that Daniel’s chin has been a bit too susceptible recently, especially after that loss to Usyk and getting hurt against AJ, and Wardley won’t let him off the hook either. Wardley stoppage between rounds 3 and 5.”
Results
64% Wardley
36% Dubois
