Wardley vs. Dubois - Behind the scenes of an intriguing and tense face off

In the bowels of a London hotel, a mass of people have gathered.

A small, dark conference room with just a single beam of light in the centre, and it’s shining on a table with a DAZN-branded tablecloth.

Surrounding the table are three chairs, and this layout means one thing: it’s time for a face-off.

Last week, I travelled down to the English capital as the build-up kicked off the WBO heavyweight title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, and the traditional face-off would see the two Brits go face-to-face for the first time.

More often than not, face-offs can go one of two ways.

They can either be a sign of respect or chaos, with either fighter struggling to control their emotions and having to be separated by security.

When it comes to heavyweights, there is a real sense of danger. Wardley was ready and waiting for his next opponent; meanwhile, in the corridor outside, both walls were lined with people.

This cluster added to the excitement a heavyweight bout could bring, as Dubois’ camp attempted to steer their man, dressed in an immaculate suit, to the makeshift studio where Wardley was waiting.

Once it starts, no one leaves

With there being no animosity between Wardley and Dubois despite a sparring session during the early stages of their respective careers, no one quite knew what was going to unfold.

With the rolling of the face-off cameras neared, a security guard whispered to his colleague, “Once it starts, no one leaves.” They were anticipating a flashpoint.

Matt Astbury

As Dubois sat down at the table opposite Wardley, I squeezed my way into the room to catch a sight of the face-off about to take place. The frantic commands from the production crew to get their lights, cameras and microphones in working order felt like a charge, but then silence.

The snap of the clapperboard prompted an abrupt silence; now it was down to host Ade Oladipo to command proceedings in a room where dozens of eyeballs were focused on the actions of two giants ready to go to war.

Oladipo reacts to ‘intense’ Wardley vs. Dubois face-off

After 15 minutes or so with the clock edging towards lunch, a respectful, but tense face-off came to a close.

Very little ground was given by either man, albeit in a verbal sense, but watching the face-off first hand has furthered my excitement for this world title bout.

Host Oladipo had the role of keeping both Wardley and Dubois in check, and he reflected on the face-off in its immediate aftermath.

“It’s intense between the two, not every face-off is going to be flipping chairs and throwing tables,” Oladipo told DAZN News.

“Daniel’s ready, he’s not going to be doing the same thing as a Fury, but he’s intimidating in his own way because what he does, nine times out of 10 he looks at me, but one time out of 10 he looks straight at Fabio in the eyes, and Fabio knows he’s staring at him.”

In addition to keeping proceedings civil, Oladipo also needs to bring the best out of the two fighters. This is made a lot easier if he is flanked by at least one boxer who is confident when speaking.

Dubois is an interesting case. He says every little, but when he does, there is an aggressive tone, and Oladipo believes the former IBF heavyweight champion being seen as an underdog is a role which ‘Dynamite’ thrives in.

“There was a point where I asked them both ‘How they were going to win?’ Fabio gave a lengthy answer, Daniel was a few words, ‘By any means necessary’, that’s his trademark.

“He genuinely thinks he’s a level above Fabio, the level of opposition he’s fought, the experience.

“He likes the idea of being an underdog, because he thinks everyone is underestimating him.”

Will Wardley and Dubois respect last until fight week?

The question now heading towards fight week is whether Wardley and Dubois will maintain the respect shown in the face-off?

Already it seems to be crumbling away with the Wardley and Dubois’ manager, Michael Ofo and Sam Jones, trading verbal blows later in the day in front of the world’s media.

Then came the fist bump.

After bumping fists earlier in the day, Wardley offered the same parting action before leaving the press conference, but Dubois refused.

The crowd gasped and did not quite know whether it was mind games or a joke from Dubois, which did not land.

Walking back to St. Pancras to catch my train out of London, there was plenty to take from Wardley and Dubois' media day, but Oladipo gave the perfect summary of what had occurred as the boxing world now waits for the pair to re-emerge in fight week. 

"If you are watching this face off, expecting a Chisora-type throwing tables, it isn’t that type, it’s more of a conversation between two guys who ultimately respect each other."

Watch Wardley vs. Dubois exclusively on DAZN

The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.