Daniel Dubois' pre-fight party 'can't happen again' says promoter Frank Warren ahead of Fabio Wardley world title clash

The pre-fight ‘party’ that took place ahead of Daniel Dubois’ defeat to Oleksandr Usyk “can’t happen again”, says promoter Frank Warren.

Dubois rematched Usyk last year, losing their undisputed heavyweight title fight by fifth round knockout.

The Briton only arrived at the venue 90 minutes before he was due to make his ringwalk and some time after Usyk had.

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Dubois reached Wembley stadium late and it's been suggested that a party or gathering hosted by his father delayed and disrupted him ahead of the contest.

That will not be repeated when Dubois fights Fabio Wardley for the WBO heavyweight world championship on May 9.

"That can't happen again. The good thing is they'll be in Manchester so they'll be staying in a hotel," promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports.

"When he was late getting there, I was tearing my hair out, what I've got left. I can't be arguing with everyone when he's two hours away from the biggest fight ever but afterwards we had a sitdown and said what we had to say."

Dubois wants to put that incident behind him now. "I don't want to go on about that," he told Sky Sports.

The heavyweight did have a brief stint with a new trainer Tony Sims, before returning to coach Don Charles.

"He's in a good place at the moment," Warren noted. "Leaving Don and then going back has been good for him that he's been elsewhere and seen he's more comfortable with Don. There's been a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes for that fight which has been well documented."

Dubois gets an immediate chance at redemption when he fights Wardley. "It's taking no steps backwards. This is the best fight for me," he said. "I'm glad he's taken it. My big chance, my big opportunity and I've got to take his 0 [unbeaten record].

"A lot has gone on behind the scenes. Now I'm going to prove them all wrong and take that belt."

He thinks Wardley is gambling on him struggling with confidence coming off a high profile loss.

But he warned: "They don't know that I'm prepared even more, better than ever.

"It's just another lesson, another milestone in my career. I have no emotions towards that. I'm looking solely towards the future.

"A perfect opponent I think, his style and the way he is, suits me perfectly," Dubois said of Wardley.

"Skills, that's what it's about, breaking him down and then taking him out. Jab, foot movement, speed and just what I do. You guys are going to be in for a treat.

"No more freezing in front of a crowd, I'm used to that now. I'm going to on top of him from the first bell.

"I'm going to do it again, win the world title and hold onto it."

He thinks a victory could well lead him to a showdown with Tyson Fury. "That would be massive, pull that one off again and back to Wembley," Dubois said.

"One fight at a time but I'll come through anyone. I'll be a force for anyone in that ring.

"There's a lot up for grabs."

But he added: "Lots of new fighters coming up as well. Not just Fury. New challenges, new prospects coming up and it's going to be interesting getting in the mix again.

"There's so many prospects so many names out there that. Pull this one off then the doors are wide open to make any big fight domestically or in the world."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Daniel Dubois' pre-fight party 'can't happen again' says promoter Frank Warren ahead of Fabio Wardley world title clash