FABIO WARDLEY was battered and bloodied by Daniel Dubois but his granite chin was one of the night’s big winners.
, 31, left Manchester‘s Co-op Live a beaten man on Saturday evening as snatched his WBO heavyweight world title with an .
Fabio Wardley’s face was turned into a bloody mess by Daniel Dubois Credit: AP
Wardley took dozens of Dubois’ best shots without hitting the canvas Credit: Reuters
But the Ipswich fighter proved himself to be one of the toughest in the business.
Wardley stayed on his feet despite an endless barrage of Dubois’ best shots transforming his face into a .
His right eye was swollen shut, his nose was smashed in and blood was spattered all over the ring – with some globs landing on the ringside commentators’ notes.
Wardley will not be visiting after losing his belt but pundit and former middleweight champ Darren Barker joked that some form of royal recognition was in order.
He said during the fight: “Wardley’s chin deserves a knighthood.”
Some spectators were worried for Wardley as he wobbled into the centre of the ring for round 10, with referee Howard Foster finally stepping in a round later after more of Dubois’ heavy artillery.
Wardley was stopped in the 11th round Credit: PA
Darren Barker (right) was stunned by Wardley’s granite chin Credit: Getty
Dubois posed with the WBO belt after his hard-fought win Credit: Getty Wally Downes Jr's verdict
by Wally Downes Jr
Quite honestly, it was something sensational to watch.
Daniel Dubois was dropped within the first 10 seconds of the fight by a right hand.
He was back on the deck again in the third where he took a knee.
In the past, Dubois has struggled with those “quitter” attacks, but tonight, he defied it.
He denied it, and he incredibly overwhelmed Fabio Wardley.
Wardley fought with one eye for most of the fight and a broken nose.
It was magnificent – it was a war. While Daniel overcame his past demons, Fabio once again proved he is a superhuman being.
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But it was far from an easy ride for Dubois himself.
‘Dynamite’ was knocked down twice early in the fight, including in the opening , before regaining his composure and turning the screw.
He said: “What a tough cookie Fabio is, he took my best shots and never went down.
“He tested me in that fight, I had to come through my own inner battle.
“I exorcised those demons, I needed to get whacked and get up again.
“I felt like a warrior in there, I was not going to be denied.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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