Daniel Dubois is a world heavyweight champion once more after stopping Fabio Wardley in the 11th round of a brutal, back‑and‑forth battle at the Co‑op Live Arena in Manchester on May 9, 2026. The victory gave Dubois the WBO heavyweight title and made him a two‑time world champion, just months after losing his IBF belt to Oleksandr Usyk.
The fight, broadcast live on DAZN, saw Wardley drop Dubois twice in the early rounds. Dubois absorbed the punishment, gradually imposed his power, and forced referee Howard Foster to intervene after Wardley had absorbed sustained punishment that left him with significant damage around his right eye and nose.
The result reshapes the heavyweight division and has already triggered discussion about what comes next for both men. A rematch clause in the contract, confirmed by promoter Frank Warren, means a second meeting is likely before any potential clash with Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk.
Who won Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley?
Daniel Dubois – British heavyweight boxer, 28 years old.
Defeated Fabio Wardley in a WBO world heavyweight title fight after coming back from two knockdowns.
May 9, 2026 at Co‑op Live Arena, Manchester, England.
The win rewrites Dubois’ narrative and raises demand for a potential Anthony Joshua rematch.
Key insights from the fight
- Dubois won by stoppage after being knocked down twice, showing resilience under pressure.
- The WBO world heavyweight title was at stake in the Wardley fight.
- Media coverage frames the victory as rewriting Dubois’ ‘quitter’ narrative.
- Search demand clusters around fight result, highlights, tickets, live viewing, and net worth.
- A Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua rematch is a major search topic, but no confirmation exists in available reporting.
Fight snapshot
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fighter | Daniel Dubois |
| Opponent | Fabio Wardley |
| Title | WBO world heavyweight title |
| Result | Dubois won by 11th‑round TKO (0:28) after being knocked down twice |
| Date | May 9, 2026 |
| Venue | Co‑op Live Arena, Manchester, England |
| Attendance | 18,212 (arena boxing record) |
| Referee | Howard Foster |
| Dubois record after fight | 23–3, 22 KOs |
| Wardley record after fight | 20–1–1, 19 KOs |
The contest was widely described as a fight‑of‑the‑year contender, with both men trading damaging power shots in an unusually violent heavyweight encounter. Wardley had become WBO champion after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt and was making his first defense. Dubois’ victory made him a two‑time heavyweight champion; he previously held the IBF title before losing to Usyk in July 2025.
Where can I watch Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley highlights and full fight?
Highlight packages from the fight are available via official broadcaster DAZN and sports news outlets such as BBC Sport, which published a video summary of the key moments. The full fight was broadcast live on DAZN as part of a Queensberry Promotions card, and replay availability depends on your regional DAZN subscription.
Official highlight sources
BBC Sport’s coverage includes a dedicated video page featuring the decisive moments of the bout. Additionally, sporting news sites and boxing‑focused platforms have published curated highlight reels that show Dubois’ recovery from the early knockdowns and the sustained pressure that led to the 11th‑round stoppage.
Full fight replay options
DAZN subscribers can typically access the full fight on demand shortly after the live broadcast concludes. For those without an active subscription, boxing roundups and post‑fight analyses from outlets like CBS Sports and Reuters provide detailed written breakdowns with key timestamps.
DAZN is the primary rights holder for Queensberry Promotions events. Checking the DAZN schedule or on‑demand library is the most reliable way to find the full fight replay. BBC Sport’s video page offers a quick, free highlight summary for casual viewers.
Is Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua 2 confirmed?
As of the available reporting, a second fight between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua has not been confirmed. Dubois stopped Joshua in the fifth round on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium, retaining the IBF heavyweight title. That win was Dubois’ signature victory before the Wardley fight.
Rematch clause with Wardley takes priority
The fight contract for Dubois vs Wardley reportedly included a rematch clause. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed after Dubois’ victory that the clause exists, meaning Wardley is entitled to a second fight. This contractual obligation could delay or compete with any potential Dubois‑Joshua negotiations.
What about Usyk or Joshua?
Oleksandr Usyk had indicated he would be interested in facing the winner of Dubois‑Wardley, but no finalized agreement is reported. The available reporting does not establish a Dubois‑Joshua rematch as the immediate next fight. Any move toward Joshua would likely depend on the Wardley rematch being resolved first.
How do I get Daniel Dubois tickets and watch Daniel Dubois live?
The first Dubois‑Wardley fight at Co‑op Live in Manchester was a sellout with 18,212 attendees, described as an arena boxing attendance record. A second fight between the two was scheduled for October 17, 2026, at London’s O2 Arena, again headlining a Queensberry Promotions card broadcast live on DAZN.
Ticket availability for the rematch
Important: The available information does not include an official ticketing source or verified prices for the October 17 rematch. Fans should monitor official Queensberry Promotions channels and the O2 Arena box office for confirmed on‑sale dates and pricing. Ticket availability and cost should be treated as unconfirmed until an official announcement.
How to watch the rematch live
The October 17 card is scheduled to be broadcast live on DAZN. A valid DAZN subscription will be required to watch the event. Further broadcast details, including any potential pay‑per‑view pricing, have not been confirmed in the available reporting.
Ticket scams are common for high‑profile boxing events. Only purchase tickets through the official venue box office or authorized primary sellers. Any third‑party resale should be approached with caution until official ticketing partners are announced.
What is Daniel Dubois’ net worth?
Reported fight‑purse estimates for the Wardley bout are not official. One report estimated Dubois’ post‑fight earnings at approximately $3.2 million including sponsorships and bonuses. Wardley was estimated at around $1.6 million in base earnings, potentially rising to roughly $2.2 million with additional income.
Career earnings and net worth uncertainty
No highly reliable, audited figure for either boxer’s personal net worth is established in the available reporting. Online “net worth” estimates should be regarded as speculative rather than confirmed financial data. Dubois’ earnings from his previous fights against Joshua and Usyk, combined with sponsorship and broadcast revenue, would contribute to his overall financial picture, but specific figures remain unverified.
Fight purses reported in the media often reflect base guarantees and may not include pay‑per‑view revenue shares, sponsorship bonuses, or other performance incentives. Until official financial disclosures are published, any net worth figure should be treated with caution.
When did the key events in Daniel Dubois’ recent career unfold?
- September 21, 2024: Dubois defeated Anthony Joshua by knockout in round 5 at Wembley Stadium, London, retaining the IBF heavyweight title. (Wikipedia)
- July 19, 2025: Dubois lost the IBF title to Oleksandr Usyk by knockout in round 5. (Wikipedia)
- May 9, 2026: Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley by 11th‑round TKO at Co‑op Live Arena, Manchester, winning the WBO heavyweight title. (Reuters)
- Post‑May 9, 2026: Promoter Frank Warren confirmed a rematch clause in the Wardley fight contract. (CBS Sports)
- Scheduled — October 17, 2026: Dubois vs Wardley rematch scheduled at London’s O2 Arena, broadcast on DAZN. (Sporting News)
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Daniel Dubois’ situation?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley by 11th‑round TKO on May 9, 2026. | A Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua rematch is not confirmed. |
| Dubois was knocked down twice before coming back to stop Wardley. | Net worth figures for either boxer are not reliably audited. |
| The fight was for the WBO world heavyweight title. | Official ticketing details for the October 17 rematch are not yet published. |
| A rematch clause exists in the Wardley contract, confirmed by Frank Warren. | Exact fight purse figures beyond estimates are unconfirmed. |
| Dubois defeated Anthony Joshua by KO5 on September 21, 2024. | Whom Dubois will face after the Wardley rematch is not established. |
What is the significance of Daniel Dubois’ victory over Fabio Wardley?
Dubois has faced accusations of being a quitter and too timid during his career. The win over Wardley was defined by overcoming two knockdowns and stopping Wardley in an all‑British WBO heavyweight title fight. That narrative shift is central to how the victory is being framed by analysts at outlets like The Guardian.
Dubois already had a signature win over Anthony Joshua in 2024. Adding a Wardley victory strengthens his claim as a leading heavyweight and provides a compelling story arc of retaliation. The fight itself, described as a fight‑of‑the‑year contender, positions Dubois as a proven commodity in the division’s upper tier.
Search interest in ‘Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua 2’ indicates strong audience demand for a rematch, but no official announcement is present in the inputs. The Wardley rematch clause is the most concrete contractual pathway forward.
Where can I find reliable information and analysis about the fight?
The win over Wardley was defined by Dubois overcoming two knockdowns and stopping Wardley in an all‑British WBO heavyweight title fight, rewriting the ‘quitter’ narrative.
— The Guardian, fight analysis
Daniel Dubois stopped Fabio Wardley in the 11th round to win the WBO heavyweight title, coming back from two early knockdowns.
— BBC Sport, fight summary
Key sources for verified fight information include BBC Sport for official fight results and highlight video, The Guardian for authoritative analysis of Dubois’ career narrative, Wikipedia for historical fight records, and Box.Live for current record and next fight details.
What does this victory mean for Daniel Dubois’ career?
Daniel Dubois is a two‑time heavyweight world champion who has answered questions about his resilience in definitive fashion. The win over Fabio Wardley positions him for a significant 2026 and 2027, with a rematch clause to navigate and major names like Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk circling. The heavyweight division has a renewed storyline, and Dubois is at the center of it.
For a full account of the fight night, read how Daniel Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley by 11th‑round technical knockout in Manchester. For further coverage, explore our boxing section.
Frequently asked questions
What is Daniel Dubois’ boxing record?
After the Wardley fight, Daniel Dubois’ professional record stands at 23 wins, 3 losses, and 0 draws, with 22 of those wins coming by knockout.
When is Daniel Dubois’ next fight?
A rematch with Fabio Wardley is scheduled for October 17, 2026, at London’s O2 Arena, pending official confirmation and ticket release.
What happened in the first Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois fight?
Dubois defeated Joshua by knockout in the fifth round on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium, retaining the IBF heavyweight title.
What did The Guardian say about Dubois’ ‘quitter’ narrative?
The Guardian framed the Wardley victory as rewriting Dubois’ “quitter” narrative, emphasizing that he overcame two knockdowns to stop Wardley in an all‑British WBO title fight.
How much did Daniel Dubois earn from the Wardley fight?
One report estimated Dubois’ earnings at approximately $3.2 million including sponsorships and bonuses. These are unofficial estimates.
Who is Fabio Wardley?
Fabio Wardley is a British heavyweight boxer who held the WBO title after Usyk relinquished it. He entered the Dubois fight with a record of 20–0–1, 19 KOs and suffered his first professional defeat.
Where was the Dubois vs Wardley fight held?
The fight took place at the Co‑op Live Arena in Manchester, England, which reported a sellout crowd of 18,212.
Did Dubois ever fight Oleksandr Usyk?
Yes. Dubois lost to Usyk by knockout in round 5 on July 19, 2025, losing the IBF title.
Is there a rematch clause for Dubois and Wardley?
Yes. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed after the fight that the contract includes a rematch clause, entitling Wardley to a second bout.
Oliver Reeves leads fact-checking, source verification and editorial standards at RegionalReport.co.uk.