Daniel Dubois stops Fabio Wardley in bloody epic to win WBO heavyweight title

A sharp right from Dubois laded with jolting impact in round two in the first clear sign that, in spite of his blistering start, Wardley was in for a long night. But, midway through the third, Dubois was dumped on the seat of his trunks again by another heavy right hand to the temple. When the blow landed he tottered backwards and collapsed to the canvas. In the past Dubois had been dismissed as a quitter and a coward. Those shameful insults should never be directed at any fighter but Dubois was determined to prove his heart as he came roaring back.

Fabio Wardley (left) and Daniel Dubois fall during their WBO world heavyweight title fight. Photograph: Matt McNulty/Getty Images

The next seven rounds became a moving testament to the even greater courage of Wardley as, round after blurring round, he absorbed punishment. He still rocked Dubois on many occasions but the damage was far worse for Wardley.

A monstrous right hand from Dubois rocked Wardley – and he repeated the punch a minute later as the champion started to slip down into sustained trouble. Wardley’s face was swollen from the fifth round and a straight left sent the gumshield flying from his mouth. He was afforded momentary respite as Foster retrieved the mouthpiece; but Wardley was being forced to dig deep into his reserves of resolve

Both fighters were drenched in sweat which flew across the ring whenever another hard blow landed. Wardley’s nose began to weep with blood as he pawed forlornly at the steady trickle. The stricken champion was pinned against the ropes, his rickety legs threatening to buckle completely beneath him as Dubois kept pummelling him. The course of this ferocious fight had shifted irrevocably and in the seventh it looked as if the stoppage might come soon.

A right cross sank into Wardley’s battered face. But then, incredibly, he fought back and suddenly it was Dubois’ turn to be punished. Foster was booed when he separated the fighters just as Wardley threatened to regain some form of parity

Dubois hurt Wardley again in the champion’s corner as the beating elicited concerned groans at ringside. Wardley spat out a tracer of blood but his hands hung limply at his sides. A left made him totter backwards and he was speared against the ropes as the bell sounded for the end of another difficult round.

Early in the ninth Foster led Wardley towards the doctor, who examined the grotesque wound on his nose. He was eventually allowed to resume and, as brave as ever, Wardley kept fighting. The crowd sang their song for Wardley, who responded with some clubbing punches. A right rocked Dubois but Wardley was soon reeling again beneath another assault.

Foster took a long hard look at Wardley at the start of the 10th and led him back to the doctor who, to the roar of the crowd, allowed him to return to the hellish fray. Wardley was nailed again midway through the round but he refused to surrender. Just before the bell a cruel right hand landed yet again on Wardley’s distorted face.

And then, thankfully, the end of a magnificent fight came.

Britain’s Daniel Dubois yells in celebration. Photograph: Dave Thompson/AP

There is little doubt that Wardley will return from this painful defeat and he still has much to offer in the heavyweight division. But such a fight takes chunks out of a man and he will need to reflect on the painful lessons doled out to him by Dubois – a fighter who has shown yet again that it is possible to recover from a humbling defeat, and two knockdowns, and feel on top of the world again.