Daniel Dubois is brimming with new confidence following his explosive victory over Fabio Wardley, declaring that he has evolved into a completely different fighter and is fully convinced he would defeat Oleksandr Usyk if a trilogy fight were ever to materialize.
The WBO heavyweight world champion made a massive statement on Saturday night by delivering a stunning two-round demolition of Wardley in their high-stakes rematch. The emphatic win not only cemented Dubois’ status at the summit of the division but also forced the boxing world to sit up and take notice of his immense physical and mental progression. Having previously faced the imperious Ukrainian twice—suffering stoppage defeats to the unbeaten, two-time undisputed champion on both occasions—Dubois believes that his past mistakes have paved the way for future success.
Reflecting on his devastating power after walking through Wardley’s famed toughness, Dubois insisted that no heavyweight currently operating in the division could withstand the punches he landed on Saturday. Fabio Wardley has long held a reputation for possessing an exceptional chin and an innate ability to absorb severe punishment, but Dubois tore through that resistance with frightening efficiency before pausing to reset himself in the corner. "No. Fabio’s got a great chin. He’s known for taking punishment but I was going through him. I just had to pull myself back and reset. I want to know who’s next!" Dubois declared immediately after the bout.
When asked about the prospect of stepping into the ring for a third time against Usyk, the Londoner did not hesitate to express his enthusiasm. The rivalry carries deep history, but Dubois maintains that the narrative would change drastically should they cross paths again. "Definitely, definitely, I’d love that," Dubois said, addressing the possibility of a trilogy matchup. "We’re coming out on top this time. We’ve made our mistakes and we’re coming out on top."
Promoter Frank Warren echoed his fighter’s sentiments, highlighting the stark transformation that has taken place behind the scenes over the past year. According to Warren, the Dubois who dismantled Wardley is unrecognizable from the competitor who previously challenged for the sport’s ultimate honors. "Daniel, in my opinion, he’s not the same fighter he was even a year ago. He’s a totally different fighter now," Warren stated.
The veteran promoter emphasized the sheer destructive capability that makes Dubois such a terrifying proposition for anyone holding a world title. When the heavyweight champion is operating at his absolute peak, few men in boxing history possess the durability required to weather his onslaught. "When he’s doing what he’s doing at his best, you’ve got to be some fighter to be standing and being able to take those shots. He’s a tremendous puncher. When he gets you in trouble, you are in trouble. He’s a good finisher," Warren added.
The landscape of the heavyweight division has shifted dramatically since Usyk previously cleared out the weight class. In a move that fractured the division’s supreme championship lineage, Usyk vacated all the world titles he held. That monumental decision cleared the path for Dubois to claim the WBO belt ahead of his initial collision with Wardley. Meanwhile, the division’s other major governing bodies saw new champions emerge, with Filip Hrgovic securing the IBF strap following a victory over Moses Itauma, and Agit Kabayel being elevated to WBC heavyweight world champion.
With his eyes firmly fixed on the horizon, Dubois is already plotting a busy campaign for next year aimed at unifying more gold and establishing undisputed dominance. While a potential showdown with Kabayel has already been whispered about within boxing circles, the newly established WBO champion maintains a pragmatic and ambitious approach to his career trajectory. "I’ve heard talk about Kabayel, but I’ll fight whoever’s next in line. Whoever pays the most cash," Dubois said, looking toward a prosperous future. "The future’s looking bright."
Frank Warren shares his fighter’s optimism regarding the division’s commercial and competitive potential, though he offered a realistic timeline for how the championship puzzle might finally be solved. Looking at the congested schedules and mandatory obligations currently tying up the division’s elite, Warren estimates it will take approximately 18 months for a single undisputed heavyweight king to emerge from the pack. Nevertheless, he expects a flurry of high-profile unification bouts to kick off early next year.
"I think it’ll happen in about 18 months because of the timings of it all," Warren explained. "We will make them as soon as we can, I expect in the first quarter we’ll have at least one of those unifications on. If we get it on, somebody’s going to be holding two belts."
The promoter pointed to a bustling schedule already taking shape across the heavyweight landscape. Filip Hrgovic faces a mandatory defense against Frank Sanchez, while Agit Kabayel prepares for a high-stakes defense scheduled for November in Germany. Furthermore, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are slated to collide in December for the WBA ‘super’ title. Despite these fighters being deeply occupied with their respective commitments, Warren assured fans that Dubois will remain active and ready to seize any opportunity that arises. "They’re all busy, but we’ll be out, don’t worry about that," he said.
The prevailing mood within the elite heavyweight ranks is one of intense ambition and mutual willingness to face the toughest challenges available. Warren praised the attitude of the division’s top competitors, emphasizing that the current generation of fighters genuinely wants to test their limits against the absolute best. "The good thing about it is everybody wants to fight. They’re fighting men," Warren noted. "We want the best fighting the best to find out who is the best."
As promotional chess pieces move into place and old rivalries inch closer to renewal, the door remains open for legendary names like Usyk to re-enter the championship mix. With multiple governing bodies, formidable undefeated contenders, and a wealth of lucrative options on the table, the heavyweight division stands on the precipice of an unforgettable era. "Get Usyk back in it," Warren urged. "There’s all sorts of permutations. One thing for sure is 2027 is going to be a phenomenal year."
For Daniel Dubois, the mission remains singular and uncompromising. Having tasted world championship glory and proven his devastating punching power against elite opposition, the WBO titleholder is fully prepared to chase down every remaining belt in the sport. As his promoter aptly summarized, the drive to unify the division is a shared obsession among the division’s premier athletes. "[Dubois] wants the four belts. So do all the other guys. That’s what’s going to be so exciting."