Fabio Wardley reacts to ‘email champion’ jibes ahead of Daniel Dubois fight

Wardley vs Dubois will be a battle of British heavyweights, as the latter aims to become a two-time world champion.

In fact, Dubois’s IBF title reign began in the same fashion as Wardley’s WBO reign. Dubois stopped Filip Hrgovic in 2024 to win the interim IBF belt, and when Usyk vacated the regular version, Dubois was elevated.

Dubois then knocked out Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium to retain the official IBF strap, before losing to Usyk via stoppage last July – also at Wembley – as the Ukrainian became a two-time undisputed heavyweight king. The result was Dubois’s second KO defeat by Usyk, and his third loss overall.

Dubois will aim to bounce back from his second stoppage loss to Oleksandr Usyk (Getty)

Meanwhile, Wardley is unbeaten as a professional, although the 31-year-old was close to defeat against Parker and Justis Huni in 2025. The Ipswich boxer trailed both men on the scorecards, but in both fights he pulled off late KOs to secure victory.

Against Dubois, 28, Wardley will aim to set up his own clash with Usyk. First, though, Usyk is scheduled to defend the WBC title against kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven.

The unbeaten Ukrainian will do so on 23 May – at the pyramids of Giza, no less. Usyk, 39, is then expected to be handed a mandatory title defence against the WBC’s No 1 contender, Agit Kabayel.