UK Boxing
Five experts predict that the result of the Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois match will be chosen as the “overwhelming favourite”.
On Saturday, Fabio Wardley will face Daniel Dubois in an action-packed title clash (Photo: Getty)
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 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.”
Eddie Hearn detailed Oleksandr Usyk’s stoppage win over Rico Verhoeven.
Verhoeven pushed Usyk until the 11th round, causing many to question the Ukrainian’s preparation. However, Hearn disagreed.
Last weekend, he became the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world returned during a historic event organized by Turki Alalshikh and The Ring magazine in front of the historic Giza Pyramids.
Usyk faced kickboxing icon Verhoeven in a fight that many thought would be straightforward for the champion, but it wasn’t.
The Dutchman gave a phenomenal performance and, in the eyes of many people, gave Usyk the toughest test of his career so far.
Hearn spoke to Fighting Hub TV and praised the challenger’s performance.
“You can’t take anything away from Rico, what he did was amazing.
“He was so unconventional, that’s one of the arduous things for a boxer, but normally Usyk would adapt to the style and find a way.
“I thought he was behind after 10 rounds. I thought the break was early, I thought the bell rang.
“He was unbelievable, so astute against the smartest in Usyk. It was great.”
Controversy surrounding the victory emerged already during the break. Verhoeven was ahead on many people’s scorecards and was eliminated in the 11th round with just 10 seconds left.
Usyk set up a series of attacks and referee Mark Lyson stepped in to stop the fight, even though the final shots appeared to have been thrown after the buzzer.
Although Hearn believed Verhoeven was in danger and could have been stopped in the final round, he believed the referee’s decision was wrong.
“I think he probably would have stopped him in the 12th minute, but we were robbed of finding out about it and Rico deserved to see what he could do in the 12th.”
Many questioned the winner’s preparation and whether he had taken Verhoeven seriously beforehand. Hearn provided insight into what could have changed during this camp.
“I think Usyk will always take it seriously, but the reality is he’s a guy who values legacy and this was a money fight.
“It wasn’t a fight he asked for, it was a fight that was presented to him and they said, ‘Yes, we’ll take it.’
“The others talked about legacy, about becoming a two-time, three-time undisputed world champion.”
Following Usyk’s victory, his next step remains unknown, but the promoter has outlined what he believes the ideal route will be before the 39-year-old finally leaves the sport.
“If I were Usyk, I would have a rematch with Rico Verhoeven right away in the Netherlands and probably end my career there.
“I don’t think he has to fight Kabayel, who is a great fighter, but what does he have to prove?”
The post Eddie Hearn’s Verdict on Oleksandr Usyk’s Rico Verhoeven Victory appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Saturday in Houston, Texas, O’Shaquie Foster will defend his WBC super featherweight world title in a hard-fought clash with former world champion Raymond Ford.
Foster will face Ford at the Fertitta Center, live on DAZN worldwide.
The two exchanged words throughout the build-up, and their rivalry ended on Tuesday when Foster pushed aside his rival as they came face-to-face for the first time during fight week.
Ford returned the favor at Thursday’s final news conference by shoving his compatriot before security separated them from further altercations.
Foster (24-3, 12 KO) reigns for a second time as the WBC super featherweight world champion, regaining the belt after losing it in a controversial split decision loss to Robson Conceicao.
The 32-year-old defeated Conceicao in an immediate rematch and was scheduled to defend his title against Stephen Fulton Jr. in December.
However, after Fulton missed weight, the pair instead fought for the WBC interim lightweight title, with Foster winning comfortably on points.
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The Texan vacated the belt to keep the 130-pound belt, which he defends on Saturday.
Ford (18-1-1, 8 KO) was previously the WBA featherweight world champion, winning a dramatic result last round stoppage over Otabek Kholmatov in 2024 to take the crown.
“Savage” was defeated a split decision in his first defense against Nick Balla failure that encouraged him to gain weight.
The 27-year-old Modern Jersey native has since won three straight games, surpassing Abraham Nova in his last appearance in August.
Sheehy comes face to face with Teran
Rising lightweight Charlie Sheehy looks to continue his undefeated streak against Nike Theran.
Sheehy (12-0, 7 KO) is undefeated in 12 professional fights, and Theran (20-2, 14 KO) retired after seven rounds against Justin Pauldo when the two shared a card in November.
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Jones is back
Olympic bronze medalist Omari Jones (6-0, 4 KO) returns to action, and the super welterweight prospect can break Diego Osuna Zuniga’s (9-0, 6 KO) record with a points victory.
Undercard remaining
Former world title challenger Miguel Flores (29-5-1, 13 KO) should have enough strength to defeat Javon Woodard Jr (3-3, 2 KO) at the distance in the featherweight division.
Newark southpaw Zaquin Moses (6-0, 3 KO) should remain undefeated with a points victory over Travis Crawford (7-6, 2 KO) at 130 pounds.
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18-year-old super featherweight prospect Julian Montalvo (6-0, 4 KO) could become the first man to stop Maximus Moya (3-3, 2 KO), and Frank Espinoza (3-0, 3 KO) could do the same against middleweight Bryce Blackwell (4-2, 1 KO).
Jahyden Franklin Britton (8-0, 5 KO) can stop Najee West (9-2, 4 KO) in a super middleweight fight.
The post O’Shaquie Foster vs. Raymond Ford – Substantial Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Rolando Romero didn’t mince his words when discussing a possible Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn clash later this year.
Romero expressed doubts about signing the Garcia vs. Benn contract, even though the American claimed that the fight was sealed.
Recently appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, “King Ry” stated that he has signed a contract to fight the Briton On September 12, during the first defense of the WBC welterweight title.
He won the belt in his last fight against Mario Barrios, defeating him in the first round before winning by unanimous decision.
Garcia has been linked to several fights over the past 12 months, including Benn, a rematch with Devin Haney and an immediate second fight with Romero himself.
“Rolly” passed Garcia last May and spoke to professional boxing fans on her behalf CampoBet AND Betinia about the 27-year-old withdrawing from the rematch.
“Ryan Garcia is the guy who calls everyone out and does nothing.
“How many people did Ryan Garcia draft last year?
“The only guy he hasn’t called out is me because he knows I’ll basically beat him up.”
He also didn’t hold back when discussing Garcia’s claim of a September 12 comeback and called him one of the worst figures in sports.
“Ryan Garcia is one of the worst.
“Do you believe the guy who literally fought an incredibly exhausted, burnt out Barrios?
“Can you believe a guy who says he’s never taken steroids?
“The whole boxing world is amazing, but Ryan is one of the worst.”
Romero then presented his predictions for how a possible fight between the pair would play out and gave “The Destroyer” little chance of dethroning Garcia.
“Do I believe that Ryan Garcia really wants to fight Conor Benn and dislocate his jaw because Conor Benn is the easiest fighter in boxing? Yes.”
“Anyone would take free meat.”
Romero has been out of the ring for over 12 months and also opened up after the fight that ended between him and Benn.
He claimed that the fight was to take place on May 30, when he defended his WBA title for the first time.
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Conor said he was going to fight me.
“We agreed on May 30.
“We had already finalized the transaction.
“Dude is a fan of mine. He sends me selfies when he’s bored.
“He does what he has to do. He has to support his family.”
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The post Rolando Romero casts doubt on Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn fight appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Eddie Hearn’s verdict on Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Rico Verhoeven
Teofimo Lopez Questions Dana White After Viral UFC Apex Clip
LIVE 🥊 Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven • OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN & FINAL FACE OFF | DAZN Boxing
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