Dubois Stops Wardley in Round 11 to Capture WBO Heavyweight Title

Daniel Dubois is the new WBO heavyweight champion after a dramatic 11th-round stoppage victory over Fabio Wardley at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on May 9, 2026. The bout was a classic heavyweight war that saw wild momentum swings and immense displays of heart from both men.

Wardley dropped Dubois in the first and third rounds, establishing early dominance with heavy right hands. However, Dubois showed incredible resilience, recovering to take control of the middle rounds behind a stiff jab and punishing combinations.

By the ninth round, the ringside doctor was examining a damaged nose and eye on Wardley. Dubois continued the onslaught in the tenth, and early in the eleventh round, a devastating right hand sent Wardley stumbling away on unsteady legs, prompting the referee to wave off the contest.

"He is a tough warrior, but I knew I had to dig deep," Dubois said in his post-fight interview. Dubois confirmed that a rematch clause is in place, setting the stage for what could be another epic clash between the two British heavyweights.

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