Thirty minutes after Daniel Dubois had dismantled Fabio Wardley in less than two rounds on Saturday night, his promoter Frank Warren shook his head in slight awe as he described the intensity before the annihilation: “I went in the dressing room beforehand like I normally do and I couldn’t have a conversation with Daniel because he was so zoned in and focused. It showed when he got in the ring. He went out there on a seek-and-destroy mission.”
Dubois resembled a much bigger and heavier version of a young Mike Tyson as, wearing black trunks and a black cape, he walked to the ring with intense purpose. There was not a flicker of emotion as he marched quickly towards Wardley for their WBO world title rematch.
In the first fight, five months ago, Dubois was knocked down after just 16 seconds. He was dropped again in the third round, before he went to work behind his jolting jab and proceeded to beat up a valiant Wardley who refused to surrender until rescued by the referee in the eleventh round.
The clear consensus was that Wardley would be a reduced figure in the rematch and that his only real hope boiled down to the fact that he still hits like a mule and that Dubois is regarded as a slow starter. But the champion was ready. “I was more focused than I was in May, big-time,” Dubois said. “It was go-time from the minute I put my gear on. Maybe the warm-up was more extensive than usual but I was in the zone quicker. Everyone was saying Fabio was going to start fast so I was ready for him.”
Had he expected such a brutally quick stoppage? “I can’t say I did,” Dubois said. “I was prepared for a war. I wasn’t going to be denied. I refused to lose.”
Dubois insisted that no heavyweight in the world could have withstood the ferocious blows he rained down on Wardley. His certainty was understandable as he looked formidable – even if Wardley’s famed punch resistance has dissipated. “Fabio has got a great chin,” Dubois pointed out and it’s true that Wardley has never been dropped. Even in Saturday’s dark whirlwind he took a standing count after just 17 seconds when a monstrous right hand left him crumpled against the ropes. Wardley was also still on his feet, while hunched over in a corner, when his trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel.
After his victory, Dubois proclaimed that “this is my time, my era.”
Only three men currently have the movement and skill to hold off a rampaging Dubois. Oleksandr Usyk remains the best heavyweight in the world and he has already defeated Dubois twice. But the unbeaten Ukrainian master will turn 40 in January and he wants just one more fight in America. As he had appeared keen on facing a washed-up Deontay Wilder, it is likely that Usyk is in the mood for an easy last dance.
Tyson Fury, who should beat Anthony Joshua in December, could be tempted by the riches of another lucrative all-British showdown against Dubois. In his prime, Fury would have dazzled Dubois with his awkward mobility and slippery skills. But Fury is 38 and a waning force.
Moses Itauma is the third boxer with the speed and dexterity to trouble Dubois – but the 21-year-old prodigy suffered a severe setback when, having won every round against Filip Hrgovic, he ran out of steam and was overwhelmed in the ninth. It was a sobering reminder that Itauma has much to learn about the harsh realties of boxing.
“I just want to know who’s next Frank,” Dubois said cheerfully.
Warren explained that Hrgovic, the IBF champion, has a mandatory defence against Frank Sánchez in Croatia. The WBC version of the world title belongs to Agit Kabayel, a decent heavyweight who is a huge ticket-seller in Germany.
Hrgovic, Kabayel, Fury and Itauma are all promoted by Warren, who said: “The good thing is that everyone wants to fight. They’re fighting men. There will be great fights and, this will be music to Daniel’s ears, great money.”
Dubois laughed in delight before he was asked who he would like to fight most. “I’ve heard talk about Kabayel but I’ll fight whoever’s next in line … whoever pays the most cash.”
Hrgovic had been ringside and he suggested he had struggled with illness when losing a bruising battle to Dubois in 2024. The confident Croat promised to “smash” his rival next time.
“Did he really say that?” Dubois asked in amusement before turning to the unlikely prospect of fighting Usyk for a third time. “Definitely. I’d love that. We’re coming out on top this time. We’ve made our mistakes but I’m a different fighter now.”
Warren confirmed that he could easily imagine Fury accepting the challenge of facing Dubois while Itauma’s name was mentioned next.
Itauma is the most naturally gifted heavyweight in Britain but Warren reminded us of his age. He also stressed that a future clash between Dubios and a more experienced Itauma would be “a gun fight” to fill a stadium.
Dubois smiled with the look of a man who knows he could dominate heavyweight boxing for years. When asked if he would like to fight Itauma one day, Dubois nodded intently. “I hope so because I need dance partners.”
