Connect with us

UK Boxing

What Fabio Wardley told his mother after his brutal fight with Daniel Dubois, which was criticized by the referee

Published

2 hours ago

on

Fabio Wardley took a moment to assure his mother, Shonni-leigh, at ringside that he was OK following his devastating loss to Daniel Dubois. Referee Howard Foster stopped the fight just 28 seconds into the 11th round, with the champion no longer able to defend himself.

Wardley (31) was still on his feet at the time and somehow Dubois was not knocked down throughout the grueling fight. Nevertheless, his right eye became completely swollen, severely impairing his vision, and the bridge of his nose bled profusely, making it tough to breathe.

After the break, Wardley collapsed to the canvas – although that was due to sheer exhaustion and the relief of the punishment finally being over. Once on his feet, the dethroned champion went to his mother, Shonni-leigh, at ringside and leaned over the ropes, repeatedly telling her everything was fine before retreating to his corner. Doctors from the British Boxing Board of Control examined his injuries three times during the fight, but each time they allowed the fight to continue.

The consensus is that Wardley conceded the last few rounds after a promising start. He knocked down Dubois twice in the first three rounds, gaining a decisive advantage after two rounds 10-8.

However, these were probably the only rounds in which Wardley won as his opponent later took decisive control and at the time of the stoppage the champion appeared to lose his advantage on the scorecards. This situation caused many viewers to call for an end to the fight for several rounds before referee Foster finally stepped in.

One fan told the BBC it was a “disgrace”, claiming he had “never felt so uncomfortable watching a boxing match” and concluded it was “horrible”. Another added: “We’re used to entertainment but this was brutal.”

Yet another accused Foster of “terrible refereeing,” saying the fight “should have been stopped earlier.” Someone else agreed, saying: “It was stopped a little too behind schedule and it was getting ugly.”

However, his mother never hesitated to participate in his fights. Wardley told DAZN last October: “She’s always been my biggest fan.”

“It’s amusing, when you talk about boxing or combat sports in general about your mom, it can be very brutal. She was the one who never hid behind her hands, or didn’t look, or didn’t look at what was going on. She was always noisy in front of the crowd, jumping to her feet, cheering, screaming, just trying to get into the ring herself if she could. In that sense, she was my biggest supporter.”

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

UK Boxing

Frank Warren reveals the clause regarding Daniel Dubois’ rematch with Fabio Wardley after the classic fight

Published

6 hours ago

on

May 10, 2026

By

Promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that there is a rematch clause in the contract after one of the fiercest fights in recent British boxing history between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley. Dubois rose from the turf twice to stop Wardley, who had a blistering start, defeating Dubois after just 10 seconds and again in the third round.

However, in between these knockdowns, Dubois established his jab and asserted his dominance. From the fourth round he took control, even though many of his hardest punches initially missed Wardley’s chin. By the ninth, Wardley’s right eye was almost closed as he endured merciless punishment, and Dubois finally ended the proceedings in the 11th to regain the world title.

Wardley defended his inherited heavyweight belt for the first time when Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the title rather than face the Ipswich-born fighter. Meanwhile, Dubois was fighting for the first time since his second loss to Usyk last summer and was fighting for the belt for the second time.

For some viewers it was a tough viewing, many felt it could have been stopped earlier; for others, the fight has already been hailed as one of the best heavyweight fights in history. Warren then confirmed that there is a robust possibility that Dubois and Wardley will meet in the ring again.

“These two guys showed their hearts and their chins,” he told DAZN. “It was an amazing fight with everything in it. There is a rematch clause in the contract.

“Let’s let the heavyweight dust settle and then we’ll see [about what comes next]. He is [Dubois] he’s back and Fabio isn’t leaving either. He’s a real brave man.”

Speaking later, Dubois said: “It was a war. Thank you Fabio for this. I know I have heart. I’m a fighter out there. I had to get it out of the bag, what a great fight and battle.”

“He’s a tough guy, he’s a great fighter. It was an honor to be in the ring with him.”

Continue Reading

UK Boxing

Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois – results and post-fight report

Published

14 hours ago

on

May 9, 2026

By

Wardley threw Dubois twice. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney

Daniel Dubois climbed to the top twice, defeating Fabio Wardley in the 11th round to become the WBO heavyweight champion after an epic battle in Manchester on Saturday.

Dubois (23-3, 22 KO) was eliminated in both the first and third round, but stopped Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KO) in the penultimate round at the Co-op Live Arena.

With both fighters entering the bout with a 95% knockout rate, few expected the fight to be a success and it seemed like an early night was on the cards in the first 10 seconds.

Wardley, making the first defense of his WBO crown, detonated a brutal right hand that knocked his rival to the seat.

The 28-year-old quickly recovered and started punching with a piston in the second round.

Wardley threw Dubois twice. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney

However, the champion fired back in the third round, with another brutal right hand shaking “Dynamite” and sending him to the canvas.

However, Wardley’s success faded after the third round as the former IBF world champion launched a ruthless attack.

The player from Ipswich got back on his feet halfway through the sixth match and, after a series of blows, was one step away from being stopped.

By the seventh round, the 31-year-old’s face was covered in blood, although he bravely lunged for the fence in the hope of landing his trademark right hand, which has defeated Joseph Parker and Justis Huni in his last two fights.

Dubois roared in response. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney
Dubois roared in response. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney

At the beginning of the ninth episode, Wardley was examined by the ringside doctor, with his right eye closed, but was allowed to continue.

Dubois enters the fight after losing by knockout in the fifth round Aleksander Usyk last August he stunned his opponent with another right hand and Wardley looked completely exhausted.

At the beginning of the 10th round, he was examined again by the ring doctor, although he was forced to impose an even greater punishment.

Dubois won the WBO world heavyweight title. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney
Dubois won the WBO world heavyweight title. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney

However, his courageous run ended early in the 11th round, and a three-punch attack prompted referee Howard Foster to finally intervene and crown Dubois a two-time world heavyweight champion.

Wardley suffered the first defeat of his professional career.

“Thank you Fabio for a great fight,” Dubois said after the fight.

“It was an honor to stand in the ring with him.”

Rafferty retires Essuman

Jack Rafferty forced Eko Essuman to retire after the sixth round of their welterweight bout.

Essuman (22-3, 8 KO) suffered a grave injury in the third round and blood flowed into his left eye throughout the fight.

With his eyesight failing to improve, “The Engine” was withdrawn in a corner kick, and Rafferty (27-0-1, 18 KO) returned to winning ways after a majority draw with Mark Chamberlain in August and won the WBA gold welterweight title.

Rafferty forced Essuman to retire after the sixth round. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney
Rafferty forced Essuman to retire after the sixth round. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney
Rhea stops Cameron

Bradley Rea returned to winning ways after stopping Liam Cameron in the fourth round.

Rea (22-2, 11 KO), who was defeated by Lyndon Arthur in November, defeated Cameron (24-8-1, 10 KO) with a strenuous right hand in the fourth quarter.

Rhea stopped Cameron. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney
Rhea stopped Cameron. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney

The player from Sheffield got up, but another attack knocked him to the ground and the referee waved his hand.

Rea became the second man to stop Cameron, who was previously stopped by Ben Whittaker, and won the WBA International featherlight heavyweight title in the process.

Chelli stuns Morrell

Zak Chelli pulled off a huge upset by stopping David Morrell in the 10th and final round.

Morrell (12-2, 9 KO) agreed to face Chelli (17-3-1, 9 KO) after a delay following the cancellation of his scheduled fight against Callum Smith this month.

Chelli stopped Morrell in great frustration. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney
Chelli stopped Morrell in great frustration. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney

The former two-division world champion appeared to be on the verge of a decision victory, but the Cuban collapsed in a disastrous ninth round in which he almost survived a powerful attack.

Chelli kept the pressure going in the final round and after pinning Morrell to the ropes, he landed a series of unanswered punches, forcing the referee to intervene.

Gwynne defeats Majid

Gavin Gwynne breathed novel life into his career when he defeated Khaleel Majid (16-1, 4 KO) by majority decision in a thriller.

Moving to the super lightweight category, Gwynne (19-4-2, 5 KO) put in a ruthless performance and won by two scores of 96-94, defeating the card 95-95 and claiming the vacant WBA International crown.

Gwynne defeated Majid in a thriller. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney
Gwynne defeated Majid in a thriller. Photo: Queensberry, Leigh Dawney
Undercard remaining

Heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov (17-0, 5 KO) remained undefeated after forcing a seventh-round retirement over Agron Smakici (21-4, 19 KO).

Former cruiserweight world title challenger Mike Perez (32-3-1, 22 KO) broke Franklin Arinze’s (10-1, 7 KO) undefeated scoring record.

Uzbekistan’s super middleweight prospect Javokhir Ummataliev (2-0, 1 KO) won two in a row after a brutal second-round knockout of Damian Drabik (5-3, 5 KO).

Irish super welterweight Bobbi Flood made it two straight professional victories by defeating super welterweight Nathan Darby on points, and Issiah Hamilton-Allen (2-0) did the same against Connor Goulding (6-11), also weighing 154 pounds.

The post Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois – results and post-fight report appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

Continue Reading

UK Boxing

Five experts predict that the result of the Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois match will be chosen as the “overwhelming favourite”.

Published

1 day ago

on

May 9, 2026

By

On Saturday, Fabio Wardley will face Daniel Dubois in an action-packed title clash (Photo: Getty)

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission from any sales it generates. Find out more

Fabio Wardley’s heavyweight bout with Daniel Dubois promises to be one of the most anticipated fights in recent British boxing history. In the latest installment of delicious heavyweight drama, Wardley puts his WBO belt on the line for the first time against former WBA and IBF champion Dubois on Saturday at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

With 41 knockout victories under his belt, fans are guaranteed a thrilling spectacle featuring two of Britain’s best heavyweights. Undefeated in professional rings, 31-year-old Wardley was the last to enter the ring and won after a break over Joseph Parker. The 29-year-old Dubois will be desperate to get back to winning ways after a devastating knockout defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last July. Both men possess tremendous striking power, leaving many experts sharply divided as to who will emerge victorious on the night.

Carl Froch-Dubois

Carl Froch cannot forget Dubois’ devastating knockout record, even though Wardley has won by stoppage in all but one of his 21 fights. The former super middleweight world champion explained: “This could be the one where he [Wardley] learns what professional boxing is all about because Daniel Dubois, if he’s firing on all cylinders and enjoys the job, can really do some damage and knock out Fabio Wardley badly.

“But Fabio Wardley has knocked out most of his opponents, he has never done it himself. I want to say that on paper it is a 50/50 fight, but in reality you have to make Daniel Dubois the favorite, and a pretty forceful favorite at that.”

Plush Atlas – Wardley

Teddy Atlas has stressed the importance of mental strength in the All-British clash, insisting that Wardley has the advantage in this regard thanks to his impressive run of victories. Recognizing Dubois’ greater skills and experience in the ring, the renowned boxing coach and commentator refused to underestimate the Ipswich-born fighter.

I’m talking about his Fight Channel on YouTubeAtlas said: “Mental attitude is always critical. Where is the guy’s mentality? 75% of it is mentality. That advantage now has to go to Wardley, who just won the heavyweight title, is undefeated, and Dubois is coming off a knockout loss to Usyk.”

“So mentally you have to have an advantage over Wardley, but Dubois has been here before. Dubois is much more experienced and I don’t mean [just] as for the pros, I mean he had amateur experience. What makes Wardley so unusual and what makes his story so extraordinary is the fact that he did not compete in amateur fights.

“It’s a very captivating fight, I’m going to fight the under [8.5 rounds]. I think Dubois has a chance to win this fight, I really do, but I won’t fight Wardley, not if he’s going to the magic carpet.”

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois open training

Fabio Wardley defends his WBO title for the first time in a fight against Daniel Dubois (Photo: Getty)

Tony Bellew-Wardley

Tony Bellew hedged his bets by predicting this weekend’s fight. Given Dubois’ impressive tally of 21 knockout wins, Liverpool-born Bellew insisted Wardley must weather his opponent’s early storm if he is to have any chance of victory.

He claimed that if Wardley managed to drag the fight beyond the first four rounds, only he could claim victory. “Once three or four rounds go by, it will probably only go one way,” the 43-year-old said Fight in your corner.

“But for the first three or four rounds, Fabio may be in trouble. He needs to land a punch on Daniel Dubois in the first few minutes of the fight. Daniel Dubois is a bully when it comes to boxing, and bullies don’t do well when it starts going against them. As a top-level fighter, Daniel Dubois is a problem.

“So you’ve got to give him a strenuous time in the first few minutes and start losing confidence, because if you give him any confidence you’re going to get into trouble. Only Wardley can win at the end.”

Johnny Nelson-Dubois

Johnny Nelson was full of praise for Wardley’s skills in the ring and admitted that the fight would be extremely close, although he ultimately tipped Dubois to take the spoils. – said the former cruiserweight champion Boxing RS: “It’s a challenging one, I would lean towards Daniel Dubois, but Fabio Wardley is a very clever player.

“He’s a fighter who knows how to deal with challenging moments, challenging moments, challenging moments. It’s a choice, it’s going to be a crazy fight, either way. I’ll tell Daniel right now [will win]But tomorrow I may change my mind.”

Josh Taylor-Dubois

Josh Taylor was initially hesitant to pick a winner, but pointed to Dubois’ dominance over Wardley’s former opponent Justis Huni as his reason for backing the former world champion to win on Saturday.

Narrated by a retired Scottish boxer Sun: “I don’t know, Fabio had a strenuous time with Huni, I think he really had a strenuous time. Daniel Dubois is a little bit bigger than Huni and also bigger and stronger. So I would move a little bit towards Dubois.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending