Who should Daniel Dubois face next after Fabio Wardley epic? DAZN experts make their picks

Daniel Dubois is a world champion once again after he beat WBO titleholder Fabio Wardley in a heavyweight battle for the ages on Saturday night. 

Dubois overcame two early knockdowns to eventually stop Wardley in the 11th round despite some calls for the contest to be ended in the ninth and 10th sessions. 

This performance from Dubois has re-affirmed him as one of the division's most punishing operators, but as is the case in boxing, attention swiftly turns to who he will face next. 

While Dubois is expected to be out of the ring for a considerable period, this has not stopped the DAZN News boxing experts from picking who they want 'Dynamite' to face in his next outing. 

Matt Astbury 

Dubois' next fight: Deontay Wilder

Yes, I do want to see Dubois and Wardley run it back, but it's likely a second meeting will not be happening until next year due to the punishment Wardley endured. 

Therefore Dubois will need to keep active, so I would not mind seeing him take on Deontay Wilder. 

This pick will raise eyebrows with Wilder on the back end of his career, but the American can still be a big draw and he is ranked within the top 10 of the WBO's rankings, which means he would qualify as a voluntary defence. 

Both Dubois and Wilder have made a name for themselves as knockout artists, and it would be an entertaining contest with 'The Bronze Bomber' wanting to make one last charge at the big-time in boxing's blue ribbon weight class. 

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Wardley and Dubois produce heavyweight epic in Manchester 

Watch the highlights below

 

 

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Mark Lelinwalla

Dubois' next fight: Fabio Wardley rematch

I'm tempted to say Daniel Dubois should face Oleksandr Usyk next, but they fought twice already with the latter knocking out the British fighter both bouts.

That said, the better — and perhaps only — answer is for Dubois to have a rematch with Fabio Wardley.

Let's face it: That was one of the best heavyweight fights in recent history.

It had all-action fireworks and high drama written all over it and Wardley is as deserving of a sequel as fight fans who would line up to see it. He did drop Dubois twice before 'Dynamite' dug back into the fight and eventually stopped Wardley.

With that kind of ebb and flow, there's no telling what result a rematch would render.

Andrew Steel

Dubois' next fight: Zhilei Zhang or Jared Anderson

Much like his vanquished foe, perhaps the best thing right now for 'Dynamite' is a long rest with his hard-fought gains, and a chance to take stock of this second reign atop the summit.

He might not look like he carried as much damage away from Manchester as Fabio Wardley, but Dubois needs to cool his heels, perhaps even until the end of the year, and wait for the right opportunity.

• Read next | Dubois' redemption is a British boxing love story

While Oleksandr Usyk may have mooted the winner of their bout as a potential undisputed foe, it seems difficult to suggest that the Ukrainian will have an appetite to face a man he beat twice before.

That should lead Dubois towards a more leisurely defence of his strap, and a chance to bide his time as the division opens up, though whether he looks up or down for experience depends on a few things.

I'd love to see him have a crack at Zhilei Zhang, or take aim at Jared Anderson. A bout with Moses Itauma would be terrific too - but perhaps not a fight Frank Warren would want to make yet. 

Christopher Walker

Daniel Dubois' next fight: Fabio Wardley rematch

There is only one fight to make for Daniel Dubois and that is an immediate rematch with Fabio Wardley when both men have recovered.

Frank Warren revealed in the immediate aftermath of the contest that there is a rematch clause and it makes sense for Wardley to pursue another world title fight rather than work his way back up the rankings.

The fight ticked every metric available from a commercial standpoint and when it was time for the fighters to deliver when it mattered most, both went beyond the call of duty.

Wardley vs Dubois is by far the best fight of 2026. A sequel at the start of next year could see it take similar honours in 2027.

Watch Usyk vs. Verhoeven only on DAZN

Oleksandr Usyk puts his unbeaten record on the line against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, in front of the Egyptian pyramids, live and exclusive on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPV, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

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