IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois says he is open to a fight against Fabio Wardley next. Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) will decide with his father, team and promoter Frank Warren what his next fight will be.
It has not yet been decided if Fabio will be Dubois’ next opponent, but given all the talk, it is very likely that he will be. A better choice would be Joseph Parker or Martin Bakole. These two are much more worthy of a title shot against Dubois than Wardley, and would be more fun to watch.
They had a chance to win. You can’t say that to Wardley, who went to the death with Frazer Clarke in their first fight last March. Although Wardley destroyed Clarke in their rematch on October 12, it was a fluke. It wasn’t an indication of how good Wardley is because he’s not that kind of talented.
Wardley turns 30 on December 18, and has never fought a true world-class fighter during his career. Going up against Dubois would be a baptism of fire for seven-year pro Wardley, and it may not last long.
Ideally, Wardley needs two or three years of experience to face a talent like Dubois, but he looked shaky even against British-level opposition.
If it’s just about the money, throw Wardley in there and let the Dubois shark devour him on February 22nd. It won’t be a fair fight because Wardley is so limited that he can’t last more than two rounds.
A rematch against Anthony Joshua seems unlikely due to AJ’s lingering injuries from a fight against Dubois on September 21st and the training camp he attended to prepare for that fight.
If Dubois fights on February 22nd, he will need a good opponent to keep the momentum going with his career. The unbeatable no. 12 IBF Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) is well known in the UK and is coming off a first round KO win over Frazer Clarke on October 12th.
“Bring them all on these contenders. They can all get a piece,” said Daniel Dubois to talkSport Boxing on the upcoming title defense of his IBF heavyweight belt. “It’s going to be everybody’s decision. My dad, the team, Frank Warren. We’ll all decide. I’ve had some good fights in my last three fights, and I’m up there now.
“Whoever I’m going to destroy, I’m going to do it. I’m in shape now, my confidence is up there, I feel on top of the world. So whoever I’m going to destroy and put out of their misery, I’m going to to do.
