Daniel Dubois captured the WBO heavyweight world championship this weekend, recovering from two early knockdowns to stop Fabio Wardley in a thrilling main event.
The Manchester clash is already being hailed as a strong candidate for fight of the year, with both heavyweights leaving everything in the ring to entertain the crowd.
Referee Howard Foster called a halt in the 11th round, making Dubois a two-time heavyweight champion at 28. He now aims to hold the belt longer than his previous reign, which saw only one successful defense.
To keep the title, Dubois will have to fend off a new wave of challengers, with rising star Moses Itauma holding the number one ranking.
Speaking to TalkSPORT from ringside before the main event, Itauma had backed his stablemate Wardley to win, but made it clear that if the result went the other way, he would step in to challenge Dubois for the title.
“100% [I’d fight Dubois]. Come on, do you think I’m gonna come on live radio and say no, I won’t fight someone?” he said.
That scenario became reality, as Dubois showed resilience and discipline many doubted he possessed, securing his 22nd career stoppage victory.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri recently confirmed that Itauma has been proposed as the mandatory challenger, pending committee approval.
It remains to be seen whether Dubois will be ordered to face him next or allowed a voluntary defense, though given his own title shot was voluntary, he may not get that privilege.
Frank Warren, who promotes both men, has outlined the rest of Itauma’s 2026 schedule, including a London headliner on August 8 and a US bout later in the year. If those plans are firm, it suggests the young Briton is targeting another major belt before meeting Dubois.
