Daniel Dubois has long been one of the most-feared power punchers in the heavyweight division. Yet, as he prepares to step back into the ring tonight for his title fight with Fabio Wardley, it’s clear that his toughest battles may not have been fought inside the ropes, but in the silent corners of his mind.
Despite what’s been going on behind the scenes, Dubois insists he isn’t backing away. If anything, the setbacks have made him more determined than ever to reclaim his status as a heavyweight champion.
‘I feel like I want it more than ever at the moment. I’ve had more battles to deal with outside of the ring,’ Dubois admits, his voice a mixture of determination and reflection. ‘Those personal struggles, they’ve only made me more driven. Fighting those demons off is hard work, but it’s worth it.’
What exactly those demons are, Dubois doesn’t elaborate in detail, but it’s clear that they’ve been a heavy burden over the course of his 16-week training camp.
Still, he’s channeling that pain, that pressure, into something positive as he aims to become a two-time heavyweight champion by getting his hands on Wardley’s WBO title.
Part of that journey has involved reconnecting with trainer Don Charles, after a brief split following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Together, they’re now focused on the path back to the top, with Dubois determined to make his comeback count.
Dubois has long been one of the most-feared power punchers in the heavyweight division
Yet, as he prepares to step back into the ring on May 9 for his title fight with Fabio Wardley, it’s clear that his toughest battles may not have been fought inside the ropes
‘There have been things going on around that fight that I am looking forward to washing off when I step into the ring,’ he adds, a hint of relief in his tone as he looks ahead to this pivotal moment in his career.
What’s driving him, in part, is the feeling of once being at the pinnacle of the sport. Dubois was once the heavyweight champion, on top of the world, and the taste of that glory is something he can’t shake.
‘I have been the heavyweight champion, I know what that feels like, and I want to get my belt back for sure,’ he states with unwavering confidence. ‘It’s not just for me. It’s for my team around me, the work they put in, I want to reward them with that belt.’
This fight with Wardley is not just a redemption story for Dubois, it’s a statement of intent after the crushing loss he suffered at the hands of Usyk last July. Some fighters might have opted for a softer route back, picking a lesser opponent to ease back into things. But that’s not Dubois’ style.
‘I believe I’m at that level now. I can’t take easy steps back. I’ve had all the easy touches in my career,’ he says, his eyes hardening with resolve. ‘Now it’s time to just beat the best out there, and that’s what I’m gonna do—beat the best out there and go out on a f***ing high at the end of my career. I want to tick all of those boxes.’
And when he talks about his losses, it’s almost as if they never existed in the first place. He brushes them off with an ease that only comes with deep self-belief.
‘I’m not someone who lets defeats weigh on me. I just brush it off like it’s nothing and I don’t think about it again,’ he shrugs. ‘Look at Derek ‘War’ Chisora. I love how many losses he’s had and he’s come back even bigger and better. He’s a massive icon in boxing. Losses don’t mean anything to me. I am improving every time, and I aim to give it my best and show people I am the real deal.’
As for how he plans to approach Wardley, many analysts believe the key to victory is Dubois’ powerful jab – a weapon that’s capable of dismantling any heavyweight.
The ‘quitter’ label that followed his first loss to Usyk, along with questions over his toughness after the Joe Joyce defeat, still hang over him
Dubois pictured after being knocked down by Oleksandr Usyk during their IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO World heavyweight bout at Wembley Stadium, London
When asked how his jab became so formidable, Dubois is quick to credit his childhood discipline. ‘Years and years of push-ups,’ he laughs, before getting serious.
‘I started doing push-ups when I was four or five. I would wake up every morning and do hundreds of them. Then I had a good amateur pedigree too, so I learnt how to use it. My amateur coach used to say I could win a fight with my jab alone.’
His face softens slightly as he recalls those early years, when the foundations of his boxing game were laid with pure hard work.
‘I loved putting my body through the trenches from early on, and I have the scars to prove it. My knuckles would bleed because of all the push-ups I would do, but it made the skin underneath harder and mould over. It was intense, but boxing is an intense sport and I’ve now created the weapons to be successful.’
That’s the mentality Dubois has carried throughout his career. Even when he was a young sparring partner, getting beaten up in the gym, he knew that toughening up was the only way forward.
‘You know, get you beaten up in the gym sometimes, but then you end up beating up the guys that are beating you up. Then that’s the best part of it.’
Dubois’ mindset and no-nonsense approach to training have helped him stay focused ahead of his clash with Wardley, but he’s still carrying the weight of past criticism.
The ‘quitter’ label that followed his first loss to Usyk, along with questions over his toughness after the Joe Joyce defeat, still hang over him.
Dubois (right) pictured punching Anthony Joshua (left) in the first round of their the IBF World Heavyweight Title fight Wembley
Dubois was regarded as the underdog for the fight, but shocked the world by stopping AJ
Many questioned his heart when he failed to see out the Usyk fight, and after the Joyce loss – where he pulled out due to the orbital fracture – some doubted his ability to fight through adversity.
But, Dubois is determined to shake off those doubts, and he’s using them as motivation rather than letting them define him. The upcoming fight with Wardley is his chance to prove he’s more than the sum of his past mistakes.
But Dubois isn’t just focused on his own comeback – he’s also watching Wardley’s rise closely. The upset win over Joseph Parker put Wardley on the map of elites, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Dubois.
‘I was impressed by his last performance,’ he says, acknowledging the win that saw Wardley stop Parker in the 11th round. ‘Everyone was hyping up Parker, but it was good to see a Brit do it. I was glad to see Fabio win. Now I’ll get the chance to take the heavyweight title off him.’
Despite the praise, Dubois isn’t fooled by Wardley’s climb. ‘He’s been lucky up until now,’ he adds, ‘and his luck is going to run out when he faces me.
‘I’ve learned quite a few things different, you know, different experiences and sharing the ring with one of the top fighters of this era,’ he reflects. ‘Now I will use that all against Fabio. I will win this fight by any means necessary.’
