Dubois stops Wardley in the 11th round to take the WBO heavyweight boxing title Boxing news

Daniel Dubois recovered from two knockdowns to win the world’s second heavyweight title with a stoppage over Fabio Wardley.

Daniel Dubois came back from two knockdowns to hand Fabio Wardley a nasty and bloody first loss as a professional and take the WBO heavyweight title in a thunderous British fight in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Referee ⁠Howard Foster finally stepped in at the start of the 11th round to signal the end of the fight at the Co-Op Live Arena on Saturday. Wardley was bleeding profusely from the bridge of his nose, and his right eye was nearly closed.

Dubois got up twice from the canvas, including being knocked down with a right hook 10 seconds into the fight, to hurt Wardley and become the world heavyweight champion for the second time in his career.

“It was a fight. We went through tough times. Thanks Fabio for that,” said Dubois, who was the former IBF champion after being stripped of his belt by Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, and the Ukrainian won it again in July 2025.

“What a great battle. What a great battle, man”.

The win was Dubois’ 23rd as a professional in 26 fights while Wardley now has a record of 20-1-1.

Veteran boxer Frank Warren, who manages both men, said it was the best fight he had ever fought and confirmed the deal had a rematch.

For some viewers, however, it was also an unpleasant watch that could have been stopped earlier.

The 31-year-old Wardley, who was promoted to WBO title last November after Usyk dropped the title, made his first defense and impressed as he landed a number of blows but refused to give up.

He was knocked down, and Dubois, 28, gave him a ‘flash knockdown’, almost as the opening bell rang.

Dubois was back on one knee in the third round but was nearly stopped in the sixth with the reigning champion bleeding profusely and lacerated.

The Londoner continued to hit after Wardley, who was shaken but refused to give up.

His corner looked for facial injuries after the eighth and the doctors and the referee looked at nine and 10 times but the fight continued, with Wardley struggling to stay on his feet and fighting instincts.

“You saw something special tonight,” Warren told the BBC. “Two men showing their hearts and souls in the ring, they gave everything, they didn’t give up even outside the ring.

“He was hit by a bomb that displaced people and he stopped.”