The rumoured heavyweight blockbuster between WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley and former IBF ruler Daniel Dubois is said to be nearing completion.
Sources have told BoxingScene that an announcement could be made as early as this week, with the formidable heavyweights set to fight on May 9 in Manchester.
It is thought the show will be a Queensberry Promotions event, as they continue to exhibit their dominance of the heavyweight marketplace.
Wardley was awarded the title when, having defeated Joseph Parker in an eliminator for the top spot with the WBO, champion Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt.
Last year was an exceptional one for the Ipswich heavyweight, who came from behind to stop Justis Huni in dramatic fashion before upsetting the touted New Zealander, Parker, in November.
Dubois fought just once in 2025, losing a rematch to Usyk at Wembley Stadium in July.
He then left trainer Don Charles, started working with Tony Sims but was recently reunited with Charles. He also has not boxed since signing with new manager Sam Jones.
Earlier this week on his social media channels, Dubois’ account posted: “Let’s go Fabio Wardley. Sign the contract and lets get it on.”
Dubois’ CV for a 28-year-old heavyweight – at 22-3 (21 KOs) – is impressive, having twice lost to Usyk but having scalped Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller following a 2020 damaged eye loss to Joe Joyce.
What Wardley, 31, has done is equally stellar. After a few white-collar fights, he turned pro and is now 20-0-1 (19 KOs) and the Huni and Parker stoppages followed a violent one-round batter of Frazer Clarke, who the Ben Davison-trained Wardley drew with in the fight before.
Dubois is ranked No. 4 by the WBO, at No. 2 by the WBC, and 10 by the IBF.
Wardley would be making a voluntary defense.
