Daniel Dubois sends next opponent message after devastating comeback victory over Fabio Wardley

Daniel Dubois is eyeing another “reign” as a world heavyweight champion once more after his stunning comeback victory over Fabio Wardley .

Dubois, who was coming off a heavy fifth-round stoppage defeat by Oleskandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium last July, was knocked down twice inside three rounds by the defending WBO champion at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester.

Wardley, defending a world title for the first time, started all guns blazing, knocking down the challenger and former IBF champion inside the opening 10 seconds.

He then had Dubois floored in the third with a vicious right that saw ‘DDD’ take a knee in the corner.

But Dubois, who had last tasted victory back in 2024 with a sensational knockout of Anthony Joshua, roared back on the scorecards, raining down blows on the Ipswich-born champion, whose bloodied face was a demonstration of how violent the contest had become.

Wardley had never been knocked down in his professional career, and that is a record that remains intact, but he was stopped in the penultimate round, as Dubois converged on him in the corner after non-stop pressure as the fight wore on.

“I know I’ve got bundles of heart,” Dubois said afterwards.

“I’m a warrior in there.

It was a flash knockdown.

I had to bounce it off and come back harder.

“It feels great.

I thank Fabio for a great fight.

We move on now.

“I had to pull it out of the bag and use all my skills.

What a great fight, what a great battle.

I’m No1 again.

“He’s a durable guy.

A great warrior.

It was an honour to be in the ring with him.

“I want to grow from this fight and go on a reign as champion again.”
Queensberry president Frank Warren claimed afterwards that the bout was the “best heavyweight fight I’ve ever put on” - quite the statement considering he has previously set up Tyson Fury’s fights over the years.

“These two guys showed such heart and chins,” Warren said.

“It was an amazing fight that had everything.

“There’s a rematch clause in the contract.

“Let’s let the dust settle in the heavyweight division.

Then we’ll see.

He’s back and Fabio is not going away either.

He’s a true gutsy man.”
Dubois’ victory puts him in a position of power for who he chooses to fight next.

Moses Itauma, who destroyed Jermaine Franklin in his most recent outing, is the mandatory WBO challenger, while a trilogy fight against Usyk could be ignited after the Ukrainian takes on Rico Verhoeven in a crossover bout later this month.

There may also be eyes on a bubbling encounter between Joshua and Fury , with the victor there perhaps an opponent for Dubois, who moves to 23 wins and three defeats in his career to date.