Tight-lipped Dubois weighs in at career-heavy 18st

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'Highly unlikely the fight will last long' - Wardley v Dubois, who wins?

Daniel Dubois would not to be drawn into a war of words after weighing in at a career-heavy 18st (115kg) for Saturday's all-British heavyweight world-title fight against Fabio Wardley.

Wardley, who came in at 17st 4lb (110kg), will make the first defence of his WBO title at Manchester's Co-op Live in a mouthwatering contest between two dangerous knockout artists.

The pair weighed in at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre before coming face-to-face in what organisers branded 'The Cauldron' - a circular, illuminated stage designed to intensify one final staredown in front of a live audience.

"I'm going to put him to sleep tomorrow," said Dubois, 28, although - as he has throughout fight week - offered little beyond brief answers.

Dubois - twitching his shoulders, stretching his neck and constantly fidgeting - insisted the "talking was done", while Wardley rolled his eyes and smiled beside him.

The 31-year-old Ipswich fighter then took aim at Dubois' previous defeats by Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk.

"He does vary but some performances he's done well," Wardley said.

"He didn't do well against Usyk. Once you've opened that door and shown that bit of your character, it leaves people like me to expose it."

Cries of "Oh Fabio Wardley" rang around the venue from several hundred supporters - most backing the champion - as Wardley raised his arms and urged them to increase the volume during an otherwise uneventful face-off.

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'He can't bring his record with him' - Wardley

Dubois cut an imposing figure on the scales, carrying noticeable extra bulk.

His previous heaviest was 17st 10lb (112kg) for his career-defining knockout victory over Anthony Joshua in September 2024.

Within boxing circles, this is viewed as a genuine 50/50 contest, and not one many expect to hear the final bell.

Both men made their professional debuts on 8 April 2017 but their journeys to the top have been very different.

Wardley's rise has been one of boxing's more unlikely stories - from working in recruitment and competing in white-collar bouts to becoming world champion.

Calm and composed throughout the week, he appeared to relish the occasion, draped in an Ipswich Town Football Club flag as he soaked up the atmosphere.

"This is the crowning moment - hearing 'and still' in the ring," he said.

Figure caption,

From white-collar boxing to world champion