Dubois Won the WBO Belt After an 11th-Round War With Wardley
Daniel Dubois stopped Fabio Wardley in the eleventh round on May 9, 2026, to win the WBO heavyweight title. Dubois rose from two knockdowns before stopping Wardley 28 seconds into round eleven in Manchester, England.
A dramatic title fight
Wardley entered as the defending champion after winning the WBO title in a 2025 contest with Joseph Parker. Dubois challenged as a former IBF titleholder seeking to become a two-time heavyweight champion.
Wardley dropped Dubois in the opening round and again in the third. Dubois recovered, continued pressing with combinations and gradually changed the momentum of the fight.
Referee Howard Foster stopped the bout 28 seconds into round eleven. The result gave Dubois the WBO title and made him the first fighter to defeat Wardley as a professional.
A reversal of the early rounds
The contest was a high-action championship fight rather than a quick stoppage. Wardley’s early knockdowns were part of the story, but Dubois’ late pressure produced the decisive finish.
The Ring’s report confirms the 11th-round stoppage and the title change. Reuters also described the May victory as an 11th-round stoppage after Dubois recovered from two knockdowns.
The win should be kept separate from their later rematch in October 2026, when Dubois retained the belt by a second-round stoppage. This article covers the first meeting and the title he won in May.
