Boxing May 08, 2026

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois weigh in for 'heavyweight Marvin Hagler-Tommy Hearns' as they collide for WBO title

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois weigh in for 'heavyweight Marvin Hagler-Tommy Hearns' as they collide for WBO title

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois hit the scales on Friday for their heavyweight collision this weekend.

Ahead of their WBO heavyweight title clash on Saturday at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, Wardley weighed 242.2lbs while Dubois was 251.7lbs.

It's the heaviest Dubois has been in his career, comfortably eclipsing the 243.8lbs mark he weighed for his most recent fight against Oleksandr Usyk last July.

Both Wardley and Dubois are serious punchers, with knockout ratios of 95%. Each has every intention of bringing that power to bear in this fight, with Dubois stating at the weigh-in he was "ready to seek and destroy".

Wardley, meanwhile, said. "I hope he's in the best shape of his life. I'm looking to deliver a big night for the fans and I hope he is too."

Promoter Frank Warren told Your Site ahead of the fight: "Both walk forward. Both throw bombs so you know it's going to be exciting."

He believes it will be one of the great three-round fights, a heavyweight version of Marvin Hagler vs Tommy Hearns.

"I think that's what'll be, as soon as that bell goes. That's how they fight," Warren said. "They'll both be coming forward. There'll be no backing off.

"Certainly for this fight it'll be a shootout."

Shane McGuigan, who has previously trained Daniel Dubois, warned that his punch power could in fact lead him into trouble.

McGuigan told Your Site: "I think Daniel's the better boxer, I think he's the more well rounded fighter. He's got better balance, better jab, better fundamentals. Been boxing a lot longer. They're both great athletes, great punchers.

"But Daniel will most likely try to knock him out. And that is the worst thing you can do with Fabio Wardley because he's the most dangerous when he's hurt, when he's attacked. He's always got that phenomenal puncher's chance.

"I think the longer that they're in there, if Daniel's being aggressive, the higher chance he has of getting knocked out."

McGuigan would advise Dubois: "Make it boring. Keep him on the jab. If you nail him, you nail him but just keep it sensible. Because this guy can't beat you in a boxing match.

"Everyone doesn't realise how good Daniel's jab is and how much he can control a fight with his feet and his jab. He can certainly control a fight against Fabio Wardley with his feet and his jab."

But McGuigan noted: "Daniel's a born puncher so he wants to knock you out at all times. But that will be his biggest downfall and I think he might end up walking on to a shot.

"I think he will win on points. But I wouldn't be surprised if he walks on to one."

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