David Price has offered a knockout prediction for Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, which is now set for May 9.
The fight at the Co-op Live in Manchester will be Wardley’s first title defence since being elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBO champion, shortly after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his belt last year.
Before that, the 31-year-old claimed a stunning 11th-round finish over Joseph Parker in October, cementing himself as possibly the most dangerous puncher in his division.
That reputation, however, could equally belong to Dubois, who has not fought since losing his IBF title via a fifth-round stoppage against Usyk in July.
Now the Londoner has an immediate stab at becoming a two-time world champion, albeit in a risky assignment that could quite easily go either way.
In the wake of his second defeat to Usyk, Dubois opted to join forces with Essex trainer Tony Sims but has since reignited his relationship with head coach Don Charles.
Together, they have previously claimed stoppage victories over Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic and Jarrell Miller, and will look to orchestrate a similar outcome against Wardley.
In a Seconds Out interview with Olympic bronze medallist Price, though, Wardley has a ‘great chance’ of stopping Dubois with his superior speed.
“Any heavyweight’s always dangerous, but Daniel Dubois is possibly the most dangerous heavyweight in the world at the minute, despite losing his last fight.
“That being said, Fabio Wardley’s got great momentum, unbelievable hand speed for a heavyweight and a real fan-friendly style.
“[Dubois] can be hit relatively easily and, because of the speed of Fabio Wardley’s punches, I think he’s got a great chance of knocking Daniel Dubois out.
“But he’s got to not make one mistake. If he makes one mistake, it’s curtains.”
