Daniel Dubois refused a fist bump from WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley as tensions flared at a lively London press conference ahead of their May 9 clash at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena.
The face-off came after heated exchanges between both camps at Dutch Hall, with Wardley vowing to “flatten” Dubois in his first defense of the WBO title. “My power is proven. If there’s time left on the clock, I’m taking you out of the fight,” said Wardley, who owns 19 stoppages in 20 victories and was upgraded from interim champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.
Dubois, a former IBF champion coming off a knockout loss to Usyk last summer, kept his words brief but direct. “Victory by knockout, by any means necessary,” he said. When the two fighters finally squared up, Dubois looked away first as Wardley smirked. Moments later, Wardley extended his fist in a show of respect - only for Dubois to shake his head and walk away.
The verbal sparring had begun earlier between managers Sam Jones and Michael Ofo, who each predicted an early finish for their man. Ofo questioned the stability of Dubois’ camp following recent training changes, while Dubois’ trainer Don Charles dismissed the talk, saying, “Talk is cheap.”
Promoter Frank Warren attempted to restore calm, promising that the winner would move on to a major stadium fight. But if Wednesday’s face-off was any indication, the talking is nearly done, as on May 9, two of Britain’s biggest punchers will settle it in the ring.
Image Credit: BBC