Wardley Vs Dubois – All British World Heavyweight Championship Bout – Analysis

No one was disappointed by this fight at the sold out Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.

Let’s be honest despite the 2 knockdowns by Fabio Wardley in the first and third rounds which came from shots to the back of Dubois’s head and were not real knockout punches. With his experience Daniel Dubois took a moment after the first knockdown only 15 seconds into the first round and then got himself together again quickly winning the 2nd round.

Then another knockdown from Wardley in the third round but this time Dubois took a knee before taking charge of the rest of the round plus the majority of the fight setting things up with his excellent jab.

No substitute for experience

There is no doubt Wardley belongs at this level and is a class operator who is a World talent. Only Dubois who has fought better opponents at this level longer, showed his heart and skills which along with his experience allowed him to regain his composure and crucially his legs quickly after each knockdown.

In the round after each knockdown Dubois looked very sharp setting things up with his jab and winning each round. Whereas Wardley seemed to be trying to land massive right hands which sapped a lot energy as he never connected with one.

Dubois slowly rose to the occasion

As time went on the bout went back and forth but it seemed to be Dubois gaining the ascendancy as Wardley suffered from a badly damaged right eye and likely broken nose.

However the fighter from Ipswich showed he belongs at this level never hitting the canvas before being stopped in the 11th round by the now two time Champion Dubois who ultimately took over the fight as it progressed.

What comes next for Wardley and Dubois?

Wardley will come again and has gained new fans and respect in the fight game after such a gritty performance and his opponent was full of praise for him in a very thoughtful interview after the fight.

The fact remains it’s Daniel Dubois at only 28 years old who has done what Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury took some time longer to achieve in becoming two time Heavyweight World Champions.

With over 8 years behind his older British rivals it will be interesting to see where Daniel Dubois sits amongst the greats of British Heavyweights when he hangs up his gloves not to mention the clearly talented Fabio Wardley.

With a rematch clause in the contract we may well see #WardleyDubois 2 and who could really argue with such a bout? Dubois may wish to avoid Usyk as there is little appetite for a 3rd fight and he may want to chase other opponents like hot prospect Moses Itauma who is already linked with a number of fighters for his upcoming fight.