Daniel Dubois secures second WBO heavyweight title after stoppage victory over Fabio Wardley

Daniel Dubois has been crowned the World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion for the second time following a decisive stoppage of Fabio Wardley at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester. The contest, billed as an all-British clash, concluded when referee Howard Foster intervened at the start of the 11th round after Wardley sustained severe facial injuries.

Promoter Frank Warren, who manages both fighters, described the event as the best heavyweight fight he has ever promoted. The decision to halt the contest was necessitated by Wardley bleeding heavily from the nose and eye, with his right eye nearly closed, rendering him unable to continue.

Dubois's path to victory was marked by significant early adversity. The 28-year-old Londoner was dropped twice within the first 10 seconds of the bout, including a right hook that sent him to the canvas. Despite this initial deficit, Dubois recovered to dominate the remainder of the contest, securing his 23rd professional victory in 26 fights.

Wardley, 31, was making his first defence of the title he had been promoted to following Oleksandr Usyk vacating the belt in November 2024. The 31-year-old displayed notable resilience throughout the match, refusing to capitulate despite taking what Warren described as a tremendous beating.

Contractual arrangements between the two fighters include a rematch clause, though Dubois has indicated a preference for patience over an immediate follow-up. The promoter noted that while a second meeting is possible, a third encounter with Oleksandr Usyk is considered unlikely in the immediate future.

The outcome leaves Dubois as a two-time world champion, having previously held the International Boxing Federation title before it was vacated by Usyk in 2024. The result has drawn mixed reactions, with some observers suggesting the fight could have been stopped earlier given the severity of Wardley's condition.