Daniel Dubois defeats Fabio Wardley to win WBO heavyweight title

Daniel Dubois stopped Fabio Wardley early in the 11th round to become the WBO world heavyweight champion in a dramatic and bloody contest at Co-op Live on May 10, 2026. Referee Howard Foster intervened to rescue Wardley just 28 seconds into the penultimate round, as his shirt was soaked in the blood of the fighters. The stoppage was deemed necessary as Wardley, whose face was a mask of blood from a badly cut and broken nose, had already been examined twice by the ringside doctor.

Both fighters emerged from the epic battle with enormous credit, despite Dubois being knocked down twice during the fight. The first knockdown came just 10 seconds after the opening bell, but Dubois displayed commendable resolve to recover and come back strong. He demonstrated technical superiority, effectively using his jab to deliver powerful blows to Wardley, who continued to resist despite suffering significant damage.

Dubois arrived late to the venue, a delay attributed to Manchester traffic, contrasting with his earlier bout where his late arrival stemmed from a party at his home. Nonetheless, he made a concentrated entrance, walking to the ring with an intimidating presence while Wardley, donned in a blue robe for his Ipswich Town support, maintained composure.

The fight began with a heavy right hand from Wardley that floored Dubois, right from the first punch. However, Dubois quickly regained his footing and began to fight back. He landed sharp hits and began to turn the tide in his favor after being knocked down again in the third round.

The subsequent rounds showcased both fighters' courage, especially Wardley, who absorbed a significant amount of punishment while landing solid punches of his own. By the fifth round, the damage to Wardley was evident as he struggled to maintain his stance, his face swelling and blood trickling from his nose.

As the rounds progressed, Dubois's relentless onslaught led to a decisive change in momentum, leaving Wardley pinned against the ropes, his legs visibly weakening. Dubois's right cross in the seventh seemed to signal an impending stoppage, but Wardley unexpectedly retaliated, swinging back before Dubois could finish him off.

In the subsequent rounds, Dubois continued to dominate, showcasing resilience and power that ultimately led to the referee's decision to stop the fight, crowning Dubois as the new heavyweight champion.