LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 25: Fabio Wardley celebrates victory with his belt during the Heavyweight fight between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley on the “All or Nothing” Fight Night at The O2 Arena on October 25, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images Fabio Wardley will make his first WBO heavyweight title defense against Daniel Dubois on Saturday, May 9. The bout will headline a DAZN-streamed card from Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KO) is coming off of his biggest win yet, an 11th round TKO victory over Joseph Parker to win the interim WBO title last October in London. Shortly thereafter, he was elevated to full titleholder status, with Oleksandr Usyk not interested in pursuing a mandatory defense. Dubois (22-3, 21 KO) won the interim IBF title in 2024 in a similar situation, stopping Filip Hrgovic in eight, elevated to full titlist status after for a defense against Anthony Joshua less than four months later. Dubois knocked Joshua out in a huge statement win, then had a rematch with the aforementioned Usyk last year, which Usyk dominated en route to his own fifth round knockout, where Usyk fully, and briefly, became undisputed champion for a second time. Wardley vs Dubois shapes up as a real slugfest, as neither man is exactly known for his defense, and both have concussive power. It’s a risk both ways; for Wardley, 31, he’s taking on the most dangerous puncher he’s faced to date, and for Dubois, 28, he’s risking a second straight loss, albeit in a high-profile fight. “This is quite simply the most exciting and explosive fight available for Fabio’s first defense of his WBO world title, and it tells you everything about him that this is the fight he demanded,” said promoter Frank Warren. Nothing has yet been made official for the undercard. “I’ve never been in this game to play around — I’m committed to big fights only,” Wardley said. “I’m the champion, this is a voluntary defense, and I chose this. I’m not about to win a world title and then take easy fights or hide away with it — I’m not running off with my belt. One thing you can’t ever say about me is I’ve shied away from a challenge. I’ve always gone looking for the biggest tests, and I’d back myself against anyone in this division.” “The world title reign is over for Fabio, and I will become champion again,” said Dubois.