Daniel Dubois Eyes Undisputed Status After Dominant Victory
Following a quick knockout in London, the British heavyweight enters the conversation as one of the division's top fighters.
British heavyweight Daniel Dubois delivered a commanding performance at London's O2 Arena, defeating Fabio Wardley in a swift bout that ended within the second round. Wardley hit the canvas just seventeen seconds into the contest, and a towel was thrown into the ring shortly after to halt the fight.
With this victory, Dubois secured his 24th win out of 27 professional bouts. Speaking after the match, he expressed his intentions for the future. 'From the beginning, I had bad intentions. I wanted to show that I mean business. Now I want big fights for big money,' Dubois stated.
The heavyweight landscape has shifted significantly since undefeated Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk vacated his world titles. With Usyk's departure, the division has seen new champions emerge, including Filip Hrgović claiming an IBF title and Agit Kabayel being elevated as the WBC world champion, while Dubois captured a WBO belt ahead of his matchup with Wardley.
Dubois has expressed a desire to face Usyk once more in hopes of avenging his two previous defeats against the Ukrainian champion. 'I would definitely be up for that. This time I would leave the ring as the winner,' said the 29-year-old Greenwich native, who previously secured wins over compatriot Anthony Joshua and Filip Hrgović.
Promoter Frank Warren praised Dubois for his growth and stopping power in the ring. 'Daniel, in my opinion, is no longer the same boxer as he was a year ago. He has matured. When he performs at his best, you have to be a truly top-tier fighter to keep up with him and attack yourself,' Warren remarked, noting that Dubois excels at finishing fights.
Looking ahead to the upcoming year, Dubois aims to unify the division and collect remaining championship belts. When asked about potential opponents like Agit Kabayel, Dubois noted he is willing to fight whoever is next, particularly those offering the highest paychecks, adding that his future looks promising.
Warren anticipates that crowning a new undisputed heavyweight champion could take approximately a year and a half, with potential unification bouts arriving as early as the first quarter of next year. Meanwhile, Dubois maintains an even grander ambition for his career: 'I want them all!'