Manchester is set to host it’s sixth heavyweight world title fight when Fabio Wardley attempts a first defence of his WBO crown, tasked with former IBF ruler Daniel Dubois. Ahead of the showdown, fellow British heavyweight Derek Chisora has altered his prediction.
Wardley has shown the guts and guile of a worthy champion in wins over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker, as well as in his draw with Frazer Clarke back in 2024.
Although, after being elevated to become a world champion, the unbeaten Ipswich fan-favourite remains unproven as a true titleholder in the eyes of some.
Meanwhile, Dubois was also upgraded when he became the IBF heavyweight champion, but he backed up that decision when he ran through Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in a famous win.
A second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last July brought his reign to an early end.
The May meeting between the domestic duo is poised to be a cracker, but when originally quizzed on the outcome, fellow heavyweight Chisora gave the edge to the champion, believing Wardley’s mental toughness to be the difference maker.
“I believe that Fabio and Daniel [is a] great fight. I see Fabio winning it. Fabio’s tough. Fabio hasn’t got boxing skills; what he has is f***ing heart, bro. When you fight somebody with heart, it’s going to be a long night. He got hit [against Parker], but he carries on coming.”
Yet, just weeks later, Chisora has told Seconds Out of his new view on the fight, where he believes the contest to be a 50/50 affair with added intrigue due to the fact that Dubois’ trainer will collides with Anthony Joshua’s former trainer once again.
“It is a 50/50 fight. It is going to be a good fight because remember Ben Davison got beat by Don [Charles] once and now this is going to be a rematch for the trainers. Ben Davison, he has got to get one over Don now.
“Has he got the right horse to get him that victory? Yes. Is Don Charles’ horse going to quit? We don’t know. So it is a 50/50 fight.”
Wardley-Dubois takes place on Saturday, May 9, at the Co-op Live in Manchester, as both men seek to prove themselves as Britain’s top heavyweight and as a potential successor to Usyk.
