Daniel Dubois survived two knockdowns to stop Fabio Wardley in the 11th round and claim the WBO heavyweight title in a dramatic all-British clash in Manchester.
Wardley made a fast start to the contest, flooring Dubois with a right hand just 10 seconds into the fight.
He dropped the former champion again in the third round and looked in control during the early exchanges.
Dubois, however, recovered and gradually took charge of the bout with sustained pressure and powerful combinations. Wardley, whose nose was damaged and one eye swollen, continued to fight back despite absorbing heavy punishment.
The referee eventually stopped the contest in the 11th round after Wardley struggled to defend himself against another series of punches. The defeat ended Wardley’s unbeaten run and handed Dubois a second world title.
“It was a war, thank you Fabio for that, thank you. I know I’ve got heart, bundles of heart. I’m a warrior in there,” Dubois told DAZN.
ALSO READ: Joshua will fight Fury or Dubois next — Hearn
“I had to get back up, bounce it off and come back harder. I’m a warrior.”
The fight lived up to expectations as both boxers came into the contest with strong knockout records. Wardley entered the ring as champion in front of a crowd of about 18,000, while Dubois arrived under pressure after questions were raised about his mentality during fight week.
Wardley continued to trouble Dubois with overhand rights and uppercuts, but the momentum shifted after Dubois settled into the fight and began controlling the exchanges with his jab.
Trainer Don Charles urged Dubois to rely on his left hand to set up attacks, and the strategy proved effective as Wardley’s face began to show signs of damage by the middle rounds.
Despite his condition, Wardley refused to back down and repeatedly survived difficult moments. Doctors examined him before the eighth and 10th rounds before allowing the contest to continue.
By the later rounds, however, Dubois had taken full control and continued to land heavy punches until the referee halted the fight.
Dubois improved his professional record to 23 wins and restored his position among the leading heavyweights after previous defeats to Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk.
“[Fabio] is a durable guy, durable warrior, great warrior. Thank you for a great fight, man. It was an honour to be in the ring with you,” Dubois said.
“I want to grow from this fight, improve and come back even better and go on to reign as champion again.”
Promoter Frank Warren later confirmed that the fight includes a rematch clause, opening the door for another meeting between both fighters.
