Fabio Wardley defeated in heavyweight title bout against Daniel Dubois
Fabio Wardley was seen comforting his mother after his defeat to Daniel Dubois at the WBO heavyweight title bout in Manchester on Saturday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The 31-year-old Ipswich fighter lost his title in his first defence, with Dubois achieving a decisive stoppage in the eleventh round.
By that point, Wardley had sustained considerable facial injuries, including a swollen right eye and blood streaming from his nose. Discussion around the fight intensified as concerns grew about the timing of the referee’s intervention, with former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton suggesting the contest should have been stopped earlier.
Despite his injuries, Wardley assured his family that he was “okay” as he leaned against the ropes. His mother, Shonni-Leigh, responded with admiration, stating, “I love you, I am so proud of you.” Wardley had initially impressed, knocking Dubois down twice in the first three rounds; however, the fight’s momentum shifted, with Dubois outboxing him as the rounds progressed.
As the match continued, Wardley visibly struggled, raising concerns among spectators. Many in the boxing community felt that the fight should have been halted sooner, and it was later regarded as one of the finest heavyweight contests in recent memory. Chris Eubank Jr. proclaimed it the fight of the year for 2026.
Promoter Frank Warren also praised the bout, calling it the best heavyweight fight he has ever staged. “These two guys showed such heart, great heart,” he remarked. He expressed confidence that while Dubois had regained his title, Wardley would bounce back, referring to him as a “true, true, brave, gutsy man.”
Dubois, now the WBO champion, acknowledged Wardley during his post-fight interview, instilling respect for his opponent, saying, “We came through the sticky moments. Thank you, Fabio, for that. Thank you.” The victory opens up substantial opportunities for Dubois, who may face unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, should Usyk decide to compete against the Londoner again, despite having previously defeated him twice.
With a rematch clause in their contract confirmed by Warren, the future remains uncertain, but the brutal encounter is likely to resonate within the boxing community as both fighters reflect on their remarkable showdown.
