Darren Barker: Why Wardley vs. Dubois is one of the best heavyweight fights out there

In the first of a series of regular columns, former IBF world middleweight champ Darren Barker gives his take on the heavyweight blockbuster between WBO title-holder Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, which you can watch live on DAZN PPV and DAZN Ultimate Tier. 

Wardley and Dubois are made for each other

Let me tell you now, I'm all for this fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois. I think it's fantastic matchmaking.

It's a brilliant fight and not just domestically. It's one of the best heavyweight fights out there.

I don't think two styles gel better than Wardley and Dubois — they're made for each other. Two big punchers who are going to let bombs fly.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

If I put myself in Dubois' position, what a great opportunity this is. He’s jumping straight back into a meaningful fight where he could potentially become world heavyweight champion again.

So yeah, I think he's made the right decision. But who's going to win?

Well, I think Wardley does. His form is incredible, although I don't look at Dubois' form and think it's bad.

Dubois lost to a master in Oleksandr Usyk and that's that. I don't think he'd be discouraged or disheartened because of that defeat, regardless of the way it ended.

Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

But Wardley is an absolute animal. He's a monster. He's still a work in progress and is learning on the job but he's such a fun watch and is proof that the show ain't over till the fat lady sings.

If there's still seconds left on that clock, Wardley has a chance of winning.

Dubois has rubbished a lot of questions about his heart, despite the finish against Usyk being a bit iffy. However, I think Wardley has the style and the relentless approach to be able to break it once more. I think he stops Dubois late on.

Of course, the Don Charles factor may come into play now he’s reunited with Dubois. He does seem to know him inside out and they've had all those years together.  

That helps stability, while familiarity is so important as a fighter as you want be comfortable. So if he was to go anywhere after leaving Tony Sims, it makes sense to be back with Don.

As we know, a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter. And if he’s happy with Don, that definitely makes him a dangerous fighter.

But for me, he won’t beat Wardley. As I said earlier, Fabio's an absolute animal.

Darren Barker was speaking to Gavin Glicksman

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