Dubois defeat Wardley to win heavyweight bout

Daniel Dubois rose from the canvas twice to become a two-time heavyweight world champion after defeating Fabio Wardley in a brutal all-British showdown here last Saturday night.

It looked like it was going to be a short night as former IBF champion Dubois was floored for the first time after just 10 seconds at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena — and he went down again soon after as Wardley dominated the opening three rounds.

But the 28-year-old got back up — and the momentum of the fight soon began to swing as Dubois announced himself back in the big time.

Wardley, who was unbeaten going into the fight, took some heavy shots and his nose was split open but he refused to give up and fought on bravely before finally being stopped in the 11th round.

Dubois said: ‘It was a war. Thank you Fabio for that. I know I’ve got heart, I’m a warrior in there. I had to get back up (after 10 seconds) and come back harder. We move on now.

Thank god for this victory.

‘I had to use all my skills. I’m No 1 again. Fabio’s a durable guy, a great warrior. It was an honour to be in the ring with him.