Boxing Mar 08, 2026

Daniel Dubois' pre-fight party 'can't happen again' says promoter Frank Warren ahead of Fabio Wardley world title clash

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Daniel Dubois' pre-fight party 'can't happen again' says promoter Frank Warren ahead of Fabio Wardley world title clash

The pre-fight ‘party’ that took place ahead of Daniel Dubois’ defeat to Oleksandr Usyk “can’t happen again”, says promoter Frank Warren.

Dubois rematched Usyk last year, losing their undisputed heavyweight title fight by fifth round knockout.

The Briton only arrived at the venue 90 minutes before he was due to make his ringwalk and some time after Usyk had.

Dubois reached Wembley stadium late and it's been suggested that a party or gathering hosted by his father delayed and disrupted him ahead of the contest.

That will not be repeated when Dubois fights Fabio Wardley for the WBO heavyweight world championship on May 9.

"That can't happen again. The good thing is they'll be in Manchester so they'll be staying in a hotel," promoter Frank Warren told Your Site.

"When he was late getting there, I was tearing my hair out, what I've got left. I can't be arguing with everyone when he's two hours away from the biggest fight ever but afterwards we had a sitdown and said what we had to say."

Dubois wants to put that incident behind him now. "I don't want to go on about that," he told Your Site.

The heavyweight did have a brief stint with a new trainer Tony Sims, before returning to coach Don Charles.

"He's in a good place at the moment," Warren noted. "Leaving Don and then going back has been good for him that he's been elsewhere and seen he's more comfortable with Don. There's been a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes for that fight which has been well documented."

Dubois gets an immediate chance at redemption when he fights Wardley. "It's taking no steps backwards. This is the best fight for me," he said. "I'm glad he's taken it. My big chance, my big opportunity and I've got to take his 0 [unbeaten record].

"A lot has gone on behind the scenes. Now I'm going to prove them all wrong and take that belt."

He thinks Wardley is gambling on him struggling with confidence coming off a high profile loss.

But he warned: "They don't know that I'm prepared even more, better than ever.

"It's just another lesson, another milestone in my career. I have no emotions towards that. I'm looking solely towards the future.

"A perfect opponent I think, his style and the way he is, suits me perfectly," Dubois said of Wardley.

"Skills, that's what it's about, breaking him down and then taking him out. Jab, foot movement, speed and just what I do. You guys are going to be in for a treat.

"No more freezing in front of a crowd, I'm used to that now. I'm going to on top of him from the first bell.

"I'm going to do it again, win the world title and hold onto it."

He thinks a victory could well lead him to a showdown with Tyson Fury. "That would be massive, pull that one off again and back to Wembley," Dubois said.

"One fight at a time but I'll come through anyone. I'll be a force for anyone in that ring.

"There's a lot up for grabs."

But he added: "Lots of new fighters coming up as well. Not just Fury. New challenges, new prospects coming up and it's going to be interesting getting in the mix again.

"There's so many prospects so many names out there that. Pull this one off then the doors are wide open to make any big fight domestically or in the world."

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Terri Harper on facing hate: 'Just be your authentic self. Don’t change who you are'

Terri Harper on facing hate: 'Just be your authentic self. Don’t change who you are'

Professional boxing can be a hostile environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community.But Terri Harper, a multi-weight world champion, looks to help wh...

Richard Riakporhe to fight Jeamie TKV for British heavyweight title on Tyson Fury vs Aslanbek Makhmudov undercard

Richard Riakporhe to fight Jeamie TKV for British heavyweight title on Tyson Fury vs Aslanbek Makhmudov undercard

Richard Riakporhe will fight Jeamie TKV for the British heavyweight title on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s comeback.Fury returns to boxing after a yea...

Amanda Serrano: ‘When I started, women weren't getting these opportunities. We were fighting for recognition'

Amanda Serrano: ‘When I started, women weren't getting these opportunities. We were fighting for recognition'

Amanda Serrano believes women’s boxing has reached a new level.Serrano is a trailblazing, multi-weight world champion herself, who's competed with Kat...

Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper feud ignites: 'As an athlete, as a fighter, as a person, I don’t rate you!'

Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper feud ignites: 'As an athlete, as a fighter, as a person, I don’t rate you!'

“She hasn’t done anything.”Caroline Dubois left Terri Harper lost for words.The Londoner subjected the three-weight world champion to a cold salvo of...

Jai Opetaia wins Zuffa world cruiserweight championship and now determined to unify the division

Jai Opetaia wins Zuffa world cruiserweight championship and now determined to unify the division

Jai Opetaia breezed past Brandon Glanton to become the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion with a unanimous-decision win in Nevada.All three...

Barry McGuigan: 'People are overlooking how good Ellie Scotney is and what she’s achieved. She's phenomenal'

Barry McGuigan: 'People are overlooking how good Ellie Scotney is and what she’s achieved. She's phenomenal'

Ellie Scotney is on the edge of greatness, says boxing legend Barry McGuigan.Scotney takes on Mexico's Mayelli Flores for all four major super-bantamw...