Fabio Wardley was making the first defence of his heavyweight world title when he took on former champion Daniel Dubois in Manchester
Daniel Dubois twice climbed off the canvas to stop Fabio Wardley in one of the most brtutal fights in boxing history.
Wardley made a fast start, dropping Dubois after just 10 seconds before repeating the trick in the third round. But in between his trips to the floor, Dubois began to establish his jab and his authority.
The challenger took over from the fourth round but for long stretches his best shots simply bounced off Wardley’s chin. But Wardley’s right eye was almost closed shut by the ninth session as he absorbed heavy punishment – and Dubois finally closed the show in the 11th round to be crowned world champion again.
“We came through the sticky moments but that was a war,” the new champion said. “I know I’ve got bundles of heart and I showed I was a warrior in there. I had to get back up, brush it off and come back stronger.”
Wardley was making the first defence of his heavyweight title having been gifted the belt when Oleksansdr Usyk gave up his title instead of facing the Ipswich man. Dubois, meanwhile, was fighting for the first time since his second defeat by Usyk last summer as he sought to become a two-time champion.
Dubois, who was late to the arena after being stuck in the Manchester traffic, marched to the ring dressed all in black. And Wardley donned the colours of his hometown football club Ipswich Town who celebrated promotion to the Premier League last weekend.
Wardley stunned Dubois inside 10 seconds, dropping him with a right hand to the top of the head. But the challenger rose to beat the count and then landed the same shot in response. Dubois worked his way into the fight in the second session as his jab began to fire followed by his right hand.
But Wardley had Dubois down again in the third round with another backhand as he took control. Dubois again came back strongly in the next session as a right hand rocked the champion, but Wardley’s chin stood up to the assault.
The momentum was still with Dubois in the fifth round as he began to use his jab to control the fight. And Dubois had Wardley on the ropes in the sixth as he piled on the pressure – only for the champion to return fire with fire.
Wardley, with blood streaming down his face, was hurt early in the seventh as Dubois looked to seize his chance. The Londoner could hardly miss with his jab but still Wardley refused to buckle – and an uppercut suddenly caught Dubois’ attention.
Dubois had by now likely edged ahead on the judges’ scorecards and he kept his composure to notch another round courtesy of his ramrod jab. Wardley’s right eye had almost closed over by the start of the ninth and had to be cleared to continue by the ringside doctor.
Wardley’s shots were beginning to miss wildly but one right hand connected in the ninth only for that to spark Dubois into life. A right hand on the ropes staggered the Ipswich man but still he refused to topple.
Wardley again looked shaky heading into the 10th stanza but was still absorbing his challenger’s biggest shots. He last barely seconds of the penultimate round, however, as a final flurry from Dubois forced referee Howard Foster to step in.
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