Dubois escapes defeat to dethrone Wardley and become world champion

Daniel Dubois survived two knockdowns, the first after just 10 seconds, to dethrone a bloodthirsty but brave Fabio Wardley in the 11th round of a thrilling heavyweight classic and become two-time world champion.

Wardley floored his British compatriot early with a right hand flush and dropped him again in the third, before Dubois regrouped and responded with waves of heavy blows.

The Ipswich fighter, with a damaged nose and one swollen closed eye, staggered into the ring but somehow remained on his feet and continued to return fire.

As the contest drifted into uncomfortable territory, the referee finally saw enough and stopped the bout. A distraught Wardley fell to his knees as Dubois celebrated winning the WBO heavyweight title.

“It was a war, thank you Fabio for that, thank you. I know I have heart, a lot of heart. I’m a warrior in there,” Dubois told DAZN.

“I had to get back up, rebound and come back stronger. I’m a warrior.”

In a week where Dubois’ mentality was called into question, the 28-year-old silenced his critics with a clinical display of heart and power.

Dubois claimed his 23rd professional win and reaffirmed himself at the top of the division while Wardley, 31, lost for the first time in 22 fights.

With knockout power stacked heavily on both sides, the bout joined a rare elite bout series to live up to its pre-fight hype, as promoter Frank Warren confirmed there is a rematch clause.

Excerpt from BBC.