The heavyweight division is buzzing with anticipation as Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois gear up for a blockbuster clash for the WBO heavyweight world title on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. With both fighters signed to Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, the stakes are high—not just for the boxers, but for the entire promotional stable, as the event promises to be one of the most compelling matchups of the year.
Wardley, recently elevated to WBO world champion, steps into the ring with a burning desire to prove himself as a legitimate heavyweight kingpin. This bout marks a pivotal moment in his career, and he isn’t shying away from the challenge. Accepting a fight against the formidable Dubois, a former IBF champion, is no small feat. For Wardley, the opportunity is as much about validation as it is about victory. He wants to show the world—and perhaps himself—that he belongs at the top of boxing’s most storied division.
Daniel Dubois, meanwhile, is no stranger to the world title stage. After losing his IBF belt to Oleksandr Usyk in the summer of 2025, Dubois has rebounded with remarkable resolve. The May 9 showdown will be his third consecutive world title contest, a testament to his resilience and standing in the sport. Dubois’s power is legendary, and he’s eager to reclaim championship status, making this a true collision of ambition and skill.
Italian heavyweight Guido Vianello, who has sparred with both men, offered unique insight into their contrasting styles. Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Vianello remarked, “When Dubois is in the right position and he throws his right-hand, it is stronger than Fabio, but a smart boxer makes a difficult fight [for Daniel] and Fabio is very smart. His movement is very difficult to understand for big guys like us.” Vianello didn’t stop there—he went on to predict the outcome, saying, “Daniel is a very dangerous heavyweight, his right-hand is very dangerous but Fabio is so smart. I was in the arena for Fabio Wardley versus [Joseph] Parker, with Team Parker, and Fabio was very smart for all the rounds. It will be a great fight and it looks like Fabio is working well in the gym, his strength and conditioning is so good. So, I think that Fabio can win that fight with his smart head, his fast punches and he moves his head in a very strange position. I think that Wardley wins on points.”
Promoter Frank Warren, the man orchestrating this heavyweight spectacle, has been candid about the intricacies of promoting fighters from his own stable. In a recent Zoom interview, Warren addressed the challenges and rewards of matching up boxers signed to the same banner. “I think everybody wins, to be quite honest,” Warren stated. He emphasized that having a strong presence in the heavyweight division allows Queensberry Promotions to facilitate big fights that might otherwise be thwarted by boxing politics. “There are fights that haven’t happened because of politics [...] the fact that we’ve got quite a strong presence in the division [means] we are making the fights happen,” Warren explained to The Independent.
Warren also highlighted that the outcome of these internal battles isn’t everything. “It’s not the end of the world if somebody gets beaten. Moses went and fought Dillian [Whyte], we made the fight. We’re making them happen.” He pointed to the career of Derek Chisora, a fighter who continues to secure high-profile bouts despite a lengthy list of defeats. “You look at Derek Chisora. What is it now? He’s got 13 losses on his record and he’s still getting involved in fights. So, we don’t give up on guys.”
The undercard for the May 9 event is equally stacked. Rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma will headline against American Jermaine Franklin. Itauma, another Queensberry Promotions standout, could find himself in line for a shot at the winner of Wardley vs Dubois should he come out victorious. “A victory for Itauma could set the stage for a future encounter with the winner of the Dubois-Wardley match,” Warren pointed out, signaling that the heavyweight division’s future is being mapped out in real time.
Warren’s approach to matchmaking is rooted in the belief that the journey matters as much as the destination. “What we’re trying to do is get them to a stage where they’re at the best they’re going to be to fight each other, and to make the best money they can make for those fights. That’s what the journey is, and getting people reconnecting in a big way with the heavyweight division, which they have done,” he said. The promoter’s vision is clear: keep the division vibrant by delivering the fights fans crave, and let the chips fall where they may.
The buzz surrounding Wardley vs Dubois isn’t just about titles and rankings—it’s about the spectacle and unpredictability that heavyweight boxing uniquely offers. “Fabio and Daniel is a cracking fight. There’s such an argument for either of those, who’s gonna win the fight. They’re compelling fights, they’re ticket-selling fights, the guys are doing well, we’re doing well out of it, and the public are getting great value,” Warren enthused. He noted that both fighters are gaining traction in the boxing community, drawing in fans who are eager to see how their journeys unfold.
For boxing enthusiasts, the May 9 card represents more than just another night at the fights. It’s a convergence of ambition, rivalry, and opportunity—an event where the next chapter in heavyweight history will be written. “The [fans are] getting on the journey with them. They’ll find whoever their favourite heavyweight is and they’ll follow him,” Warren observed, capturing the spirit of fandom that fuels the sport.
Fans worldwide will be able to tune in live, as the entire card streams exclusively on DAZN, ensuring that the action reaches a global audience. The addition of Itauma vs Franklin to the card only heightens the spectacle, with the potential for future matchups adding intrigue to an already loaded event.
As the countdown to May 9 continues, all eyes are on Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. Will Wardley’s intelligence and movement outfox Dubois’s raw power? Can Dubois reclaim his place among the heavyweight elite? And will Moses Itauma stake his claim as the next big thing in British boxing? One thing’s for sure: the heavyweight division is alive and kicking, and fans are in for a wild ride.
With the undercard officially unveiled and the fighters deep into training camp, the stage is set for a night of high drama and unforgettable action. Whether you’re a die-hard boxing aficionado or a casual sports fan, this is one event you won’t want to miss. The journey to heavyweight glory continues, and the next chapter is about to be written under the bright lights of Manchester.