Heavyweights bring 40 knockouts into May 9 title fight
Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois both predicted knockouts ahead of their May 9 WBO heavyweight title fight in Manchester. The belt became available after Oleksandr Usyk vacated rather than fulfill a mandatory.
“I looked at the roster… and I said, ‘That’s the best name on the list, that’s the best fighter out there… the one I’m going to get the most credit for taking that scalp.'”
Wardley also questioned Dubois’ resolve under pressure.
“When things get dicey, he’s not really up for it… I make him capitulate, I make him give up, I make him take a knee.”
He expects the fight to end inside the distance.
“One way or another, if there’s time left on the clock, I’m taking you out of that fight. You’re not making it to the final bell.”
Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs), a former IBF champion, dismissed the idea that he needs rebuilding.
“I need challenges now… I need the big names and the big fights. This excites me… no warm-up fight needed.”
His prediction was clear.
“Victory by knockout. By any means necessary, but victory.”
On tactics, Dubois added, “Knockout skills… skills pay the bills, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Promoter Frank Warren emphasized the simplicity of the deal and the threat level.
“Probably one of the easiest fights we’ve ever had to make… why? Because they’re fighting men. 95% knockout ratio—do not blink.”
On the broader implications, Warren said, “The winner of this will be fighting in a big stadium fight… a massive, massive barnstormer.”
Wardley secured interim status with an 11th-round stoppage of Joseph Parker before being upgraded to full champion. Dubois held the IBF belt before losing to Usyk in July 2025, following a knockout win over Anthony Joshua in 2024.
Between them, the two heavyweights bring 40 knockout victories into Manchester. The title defense places Wardley inside the current championship structure, while Dubois looks to regain a belt and reinsert himself into the mandatory order. The stakes are immediate, and both men expect it to end before the final bell.