Fabio Wardley is finalising terms for a WBO heavyweight title defence against Daniel Dubois on May 9.

Fabio Wardley is finalising terms for a WBO heavyweight title defence against Daniel Dubois on May 9.

WBO champion Wardley will make the first defence of his belt against Dubois in a big all-British battle at a venue in the UK, which is yet to be confirmed.

Wardley was crowned as the new WBO title holder after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt instead of making a mandatory title defence against the unbeaten Brit.

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The Ipswich boxer had claimed the WBO interim belt in October following a stunning 11th-round stoppage of Joseph Parker at The O2.

Dubois has reunited with trainer Don Charles as he attempts to regain a world title following his knockout loss to Usyk in their Wembley rematch in July.

The Londoner had previously defended the IBF belt with a dramatic knockout win over Anthony Joshua last September.

Speaking last week, Wardley's manager Mike Ofo told Sky Sports: "Fabio wanted to fight Oleksandr Usyk after beating Joseph Parker but he chose to pursue Deontay Wilder instead. Now that fight has fallen through, Fabio wants a unification fight with Usyk for all the belts.

"We were pursuing a fight with Chisora or Wilder for April 4, but they took refuge in each other's arms and as you can see from the presser, they are acting like a loved up couple. But boxing's a tough sport so I wish them all the best for the future.

"As for Daniel Dubois, clearly that's a fight that Fabio would be well up for. There's nothing like an all-British showdown for the world heavyweight title!"

When asked about a Wardley vs Dubois fight, promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports: "We're talking to Fabio about various things and also to Daniel.

"Whatever happens they've both got to fight, they both want to fight and they will fight.

"So they'll probably fight end of April early May."

Watch the Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper bill live on Sky Sports on Sunday April 5

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Fabio Wardley is finalising terms for a WBO heavyweight title defence against Daniel Dubois on May 9.