Former world champion gives his verdict on Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois heavyweight clash

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois had different years in 2025, but the pair could be set to clash this year in what would be a huge world heavyweight title clash between two British boxers. 

Dubois lost his crown when he was stopped by Oleksandr Usyk in July, and the London man has made several changes to his team as he looks to reclaim his belt in 2026. 

For Wardley, 2026m couldn’t have went any better as he produced tow stunning knockouts over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker. 

After halting Parker, Wardley was later upgraded to WBO champion after Usyk vacated the title, and now he is plotting his first defence. 

Several names have been linked to Wardley including Dubois and Derk Chisora, but his next move has still not been confirmed. 

Duke McKenzie, a former world champion and now one of the most respected voices on the sport, has had his say on how Wardley vs Dubois could play out. 

“I’d probably pay my own money to go and watch that one. That’s as good as it gets. In world boxing right now, that’s as good it gets,” said McKenzie when speaking to Boxing Social. 

“Daniel would need a couple of warm-up fights. Not one, he needs ones or two if he’s going to take on Fabio Wardley.” 

“Fabio doesn’t play. He’s a wrecking machine right now. Anybody that gets in his way, they’ve got to be ready. You can’t get in there and half step with the kid cause like I say, he’s an absolute wrecking machine. 

“Daniel is going to need a comeback fight to get his confidence back, then another fight to get some rounds under his belt, then he can start talking about Fabio Wardley cause Fabio is a world champion in his own right, he’s not someone to have a comeback fight with.”