Fabio Wardley defends his WBO world title at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on Saturday night against Daniel Dubois in an all-British heavyweight showdown.

Wardley stopped Joseph Parker last time out to become interim champion and has since been upgraded, while Dubois is returning to the ring for the first time since losing his IBF crown to Oleksandr Usyk.

That was Dubois’ second defeat to Usyk and his third overall. Dynamite is the marginal underdog on Saturday at evens and Wardley is 4/5 to win by any method.

I’ve got the main event covered, a few tips from a stacked undercard including a 25/1 treble, as well as details on how to watch. All prices quoted come from bet365v and new customers can take advantage of their sign-up offer by clicking the button below.

How To Watch Wardley vs Dubois

Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV on Saturday, May 9. Coverage starts at 6pm and the main event is expected to begin at around 11pm.

Who is on the Wardley vs Dubois undercard?

• Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO World Heavyweight Championship
• David Morrell vs Zak Chelli – light heavyweight
• Jack Rafferty vs Ekow Essuman – welterweight
• Bakhodir Jalolov vs Agron Smakici – heavyweight
• Liam Cameron vs Bradley Rea – light heavyweight
• Khaleel Majid vs Gavin Gwynne – lightweight
• Bobbi Flood vs Nathan Darby – super welterweight
• Issiah Hamilton vs Connor Goulding – super welterweight
• Mike Perez vs Franklin Arinze – cruiserweight
• Javokhir Ummataliev vs Damian Drabik – super middleweight
• Fawaz Aborode vs Garth Noot – junior welterweight

Wardley vs Dubois prediction and fight preview

Daniel Dubois to win by KO, TKO or DQ

Fabio Wardley comes into this all-British heavyweight showdown as a marginal favourite but Dubois has all the tools to pull off a minor upset, the question is – can he use them?

Both men have some serious power. Wardley has a 20-0-1 record with 19 KOs and Dubois is 22-3 with 21 stoppages of his own and all of his defeats have come inside the distance.

In terms of knockout ability they look pretty much even although at a push Wardley may just about have the edge. Dubois is a ferocious finisher but his stoppages tend to come after a few onslaughts, he put Anthony Joshua down three times before eventually stopping him, whereas Wardley may only need that one opportunity.

That is the only area where I’d have Wardley ahead of Dubois, however, as in terms of technique, experience and ringcraft Dynamite should have an edge over the WBO champion. If that was all we had to take into account here then Dubois would be a the favourite but when it comes to mentality there are some questions.

Dubois was stopped by Usyk in his last bout in the fifth round and there is a perception that he hasn’t always got the heart for a battle when things aren’t going his way. Whether those accusations are unfair or not is up for debate, but nobody could make such claims against Wardley – who fought back from adversity against both Justis Huni and Joseph Parker in his last two fights.

Essentially, that is why Dubois is the underdog but if he is able to establish his jab early on and control the first few rounds he can claim a win here and avoid any room for doubt by forcing a stoppage.

Wardley has never been stopped but he isn’t a particularly hard target to hit and he’s never been in the ring with an opponent who boasts the same level of power as DDD. Either of these fighters is capable of securing a knockout at any point in this WBO title fight but Dubois has that extra bit of skill and style and he’s the more likely of the two to get his chance first, so he could well end Wardley’s unbeaten streak and take away his title in style this weekend.

Wardley vs Dubois undercard tips + 25/1 treble

Daniel Dubois to win by KO, TKO or DQ vs Fabio Wardley at 7/4

David Morrell to win by decision or technical decision vs Zak Chelli at 13/5

On the undercard, Britain’s Zak Chelli is a big price underdog against Cuba’s David Morell in a light heavyweight bout and an upset looks unlikely.

Morrell has only lost to David Benavidez and he managed to last the full 12 rounds with the Mexican Monster. Morrell even floored the now three-weight world champion in the 11th round but that wasn’t enough to swing the bout in his favour. Chelli is a quality operator but he does have three defeats on his record and could fall short here. Morrell’s last three fights have gone the distance and Chelli has never been stopped so a points win for the Cuban is the standout pick.

Jack Rafferty to win by decision or technical decision vs Ekow Essuman at 13/8

Jack Rafferty faces Ekow Essuman in a 10-round contest for the vacant WBA Continental (Gold) Title at super lightweight and the Demolition Man can win via decision.

Essuman is coming back down from welterweight and that looks a strange move for the Engine at the age of 37. Essuman was stopped for the first time by Jack Catterall in his last bout but that stoppage came in the 11th round and he recovered from a knockdown in round four, highlighting just how durable he is.

However, Rafferty is more comfortable at this weight and the 30-year-old remains unbeaten after a draw with Mark Chamberlain last time out, having won his first 26 fights. This should be a lot closer than the odds suggest but Rafferty can outwork Essuman and get the decision over 10 rounds.

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