Daniel Dubois lived up to the “Don’t Blink” billing, clawing back from two early knockdowns to stop Fabio Wardley in Round 11 and snatch the WBO heavyweight title at Co-op Live Arena, Manchester.
The all-British clash delivered exactly what it promised: chaos, heart, and a frontrunner for 2026’s Fight of the Year. Wardley dropped Dubois in the opening 15 seconds with a thudding overhand right, and did it again in Round 3. But Dubois refused to stay down.
He reset behind a sharp jab, worked the body, and steadily took control. By Round 11, Wardley was taking heavy, unanswered shots until referee Howard Foster stepped in to end it.
“It was a war,” Dubois said post-fight. “We came through the sticky moments. Thank you, Fabio, for that.”
The win moves Dubois to 23-3 with 22 KOs and makes him a two-time world champion. For a fighter often questioned on heart, surviving two knockdowns and finishing strong silenced plenty of doubters.
“I know I’ve got heart — bundles of heart. I’m a warrior in there,” he said.
Wardley slips to 20-1-1, but leaves with his reputation intact after pushing Dubois to the brink.
