Daniel Dubois survived two knockdowns — the first after just 10 seconds — to dethrone a bloodied but courageous Fabio Wardley in the 11th round of a thrilling heavyweight classic and become a two-time world champion.
Wardley floored his fellow Briton early with a clean right hand and dropped him again in the third round, before Dubois regrouped and responded with wave after wave of heavy shots.
The Ipswich fighter, with his nose damaged and one eye swollen shut, staggered around the ring yet somehow stayed on his feet and continued to fire back.
As the contest drifted into uncomfortable territory, the referee eventually saw enough and halted the fight.
A distraught Wardley sank to his knees as Dubois celebrated capturing the WBO heavyweight title.
In a week when Dubois’ mentality had been questioned, the 28-year-old silenced his critics with a clinical display of power.
Dubois secured his 23rd professional victory and reasserted himself at the top of the division as Wardley suffered his first defeat in 22 fights.
With knockout power stacked heavily on both sides, the fight lived up to its “don’t blink” tagline as promoter Frank Warren confirmed there is a rematch clause.
Source: BBC
