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Wardley vs. Dubois: The tactical battle hidden behind the heavyweight chaos
Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois each tout an outrageous 95% knockout rate.
That should only add to the “Don’t Blink” billing tonight when Wardley puts his WBO heavyweight world championship on the line against Dubois, a former IBF titleholder. It all takes place from Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, and live on DAZN PPV.
Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) has flashed a flair for the dramatic over his last three fights by knocking Frazer Clarke out in the first round, rallying with a 10th-round KO against Justis Huni and most recently, in October, coming from behind to generate an 11th-round stoppage of former heavyweight champ Joseph Parker. Meanwhile, Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) enters the bout on the receiving end of a fifth-round knockout at the hands of unified heavyweight ruler Oleksandr Usyk back in July.
Will Wardley continue his magical run with another scintillating knockout? Or will ‘Dynamite’ Dubois detonate an explosive stoppage to become a two-time heavyweight champ?
With the anticipation reaching a fever pitch, I have analysed the Keys to Victory for each devastating puncher entering tonight’s collision.
Warriors promise all out war
Watch: Wardley vs Dubois: Final Words
Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier - Saturday, May 9 - Buy here
Fabio Wardley’s Keys to Victory
Methodically crowd Dubois’ space
Fabio Wardley has a demolishing right hand and slicing uppercut that both inflict major damage. In order for the WBO heavyweight champ to leverage their maximum force, he must crowd Daniel Dubois’ space.
The 6-foot-5 Wardley moves pretty well for a man his size and can use his feet to angle toward inside action that helps him fire off these weapons.
Queensberry
Tuck chin behind a tighter guard
Wardley has a tendency to leave his chin high and exposed behind a lax guard at times. Doing this against a destructive puncher like Dubois could spell doom for Wardley’s chances for a first title defense.
If Wardley is going to continue to show growth as a world champion, he must make it a conscious effort to efficiently tuck his chin behind a tighter guard.
Time Dubois in traffic
Whether slightly from the distance or locked in the phone booth, Dubois can get a bit erratic at times with his punching.
If Wardley can time Dubois’ frenzied flurries with a sharp counterpunch, it would be his best bet to turning the former heavyweight champ’s aggression against him. Catching Dubois in traffic could also spell lights out for ‘Dynamite’ toward another raucous stoppage for the Ipswich man.
Daniel Dubois’ Keys to Victory
Make conscious deposits to the body early
Considering how Fabio Wardley gets every last drop of fuel from of his motor in outlasting opponents, Daniel Dubois could be well served by targeting the champion’s body early.
Doing this successfully could render Wardley with a stalled engine enough for Dubois to unload with his power punching upstairs.
Launch the overhand right
Dubois detonating an overhand right reduced Anthony Joshua’s legs to jelly en route to a dazzling victory over the former unified heavyweight world champion back in September 2024. Although Wardley seemingly has a granite chin, Dubois must test it with his ‘Dynamite’ power, making the overhand right the apt weapon of choice.
Stay composed, do not get erratic
Few will remember that Dubois actually measured Oleksandr Usyk up quite well for a straight right during the fifth round seconds before getting overzealous and erratic with his attempts. As Dubois overextended, Usyk took advantage by dropping him before defusing ‘Dynamite’ altogether with an eviscerating knockout.
That said, Dubois must keep a steely resolve and staying composed will help because if he opens up on his shots too much and gets erratic, Wardley is more than capable of punching in traffic toward an emphatic title defense.
Watch Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois tonight, May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with the Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), Fury vs. Hall (June 13), and Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
