DANIEL DUBOIS tipped the scales at the heaviest weight of his career ahead of his explosive showdown with Fabio Wardley.
The heavyweight rivals weighed in on Friday before at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena.
Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois face-off at the weigh ins Credit: Action Images via Reuters
Their clash is titled “Don’t Blink,” signaling guaranteed drama Credit: Action Images via Reuters
Dubois came in at a career-high 251.7lbs – comfortably heavier than the 243.8lbs he weighed for last year’s fight against .
His previous heaviest was 248.6lbs when he knocked out in September 2024.
Wardley, meanwhile, weighed 242.2lbs as the unbeaten Ipswich fighter prepares for the biggest night of his career in what will be his first title defence.
Dubois cut a cold figure throughout the weigh-in and was in no mood for conversation—a familiar theme across fight week after repeatedly insisting “the talking’s over.”
However, he left a chilling message for Wardley, stating: “I’m going to put him to sleep tomorrow.”
Both men carry frightening knockout power, with KO ratios sitting around the 95 per cent mark heading into this all-British heavyweight war.
Daniel Dubois weighed in at a career heavy 251.7lbs Credit: Action Images via Reuters
Fabio Wardley weighed in at 242.2lbs Credit: Action Images via Reuters
Wardley has stunned many fans by selecting Dubois as the first defence of his WBO crown despite the dangerous reputation of the Greenwich giant, but the Suffolk star insisted he has no interest in taking easier routes.
“I’ve said it 100 times over. I want to compete with the best. I don’t know how much more I can prove it,” Wardley said.
Wardley continued: “At each level, people have tried to tell me where my ceiling is. So, let me really go and find out where my ceiling is.”
The WBO champ also dismissed any attempts at psychological warfare, insisting mind games have “zero effect” on him.
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There's a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown against fellow Brit .
returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
will be hoping to make a comeback after his defeat to Terence Crawford, while Dave Allen will also be looking to get back to winning ways against Filip Hrgovic.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of , Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
May
- Sat 9 – Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 16 – Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN
- Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
June
- Sat 6 – Fame Fighting v Misfits Boxing – The Sun
- Sat 6 – Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello – WBC super lightweight title – DAZN
- Sat 13 – Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall – DAZN
- Sat 20 – Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi – DAZN
- Sat 27 – Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – DAZN
July
- Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN
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He concluded at the weigh-in by saying: “I hope he’s in shape and ready to go. I hope he’s in the best shape of his life. Everyone out here has given us a feeling of what it’s going to be like tomorrow night.”
With Dubois looking bigger and more dangerous than ever, fans are braced for a brutal heavyweight shootout between two men determined to prove they deserve to be world heavyweight champion.
Titled “Don’t Blink,” this bout is touted as one of the best fights of the year, with many predicting fireworks, violence, and a finish well within the 12-round distance.
Massive paydays and legacy-defining showdowns are on the line for both men.
A victory for Wardley could secure an undisputed clash with heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk, whereas the consensus suggests a win for Dubois would set him up for a showdown with British sensation .
Alternatively, the winner could eventually find themselves in the mix with the victor of vs. Anthony Joshua, offering these stars the chance to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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