Boxing Apr 03, 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

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...

Tyson Fury wants 'brutal knockout' against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to prove he is back to his best

Tyson Fury wants 'brutal knockout' against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to prove he is back to his best

Tyson Fury wants to finish Arslanbek Makhmudov with a "brutal knockout" to prove he is back to his best.After retiring for a year following his second...

Claressa Shields could fight Lauren Price in US and UK, says she would make 'easy work' of Brit and Mikaela Mayer

Claressa Shields could fight Lauren Price in US and UK, says she would make 'easy work' of Brit and Mikaela Mayer

Claressa Shields is eyeing fights Stateside and in the UK with Lauren Price as the Olympic champions prepare to lock horns for the first time later th...

Dubois vs Harper, Scotney vs Flores: Fight updates, results, undercard and highlights from women's boxing bill

Dubois vs Harper, Scotney vs Flores: Fight updates, results, undercard and highlights from women's boxing bill

Leeds and Palace among clubs monitoring Hearts defender OsborneLatest from Your Site News' Anthony Joseph:Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Serie A sid...

Regis Prograis warns Conor Benn 'gamble' will backfire: 'They definitely did set it on his terms but I know I can win'

Regis Prograis warns Conor Benn 'gamble' will backfire: 'They definitely did set it on his terms but I know I can win'

Regis Prograis has warned that Conor Benn’s “gamble” will backfire when they fight this weekend.Benn returns to , the site of his middleweight victori...

Zuffa Boxing 05: Andres Cortes and Mark Magsayo remain on lightweight collision course with impressive victories in Las Vegas

Zuffa Boxing 05: Andres Cortes and Mark Magsayo remain on lightweight collision course with impressive victories in Las Vegas

Andres Cortes and Mark Magsayo both claimed impressive victories at Zuffa Boxing 05 in Las Vegas to set up a possible future clash between the lightwe...