Daniel Dubois ‘the second best heavyweight on the planet’ ahead of Fabio Wardley fight

After a punishing defeat for Daniel Dubois last year, plenty has gone on behind the scenes for the former heavyweight champion.  

In the aftermath of last July’s loss to Oleksandr Usyk, Dubois broke ties with Don Charles, the trainer who oversaw the best form of his career in a move that surprised many in the boxing world. The two reunited at the start of the year, with Charles now back in the camp to oversee a second world title charge.

Dubois enjoyed the best spell of his career under Charles’ guidance. Mohammed Ali, Dubois’ head of performance analysis, has also been firmly part of the journey over the last two years, working diligently alongside Charles to help finely tune the Londoner and dissect his opponents in the lead-up to fight night.

Another shot at world title gold awaits in May in a thrilling domestic dust-up against Fabio Wardley. Victory in Manchester that night can solidify one man’s status as no2 in the division still ruled by Usyk – with Dubois’ camp convinced he is still destined to ascend to the top before long.

Dubois lost for the second time in his career to Usyk last summer and while their first bout was engulfed in low-blow drama, there was nothing controversial about the rematch. The Londoner was outclassed, stopped in  the fifth round as the Ukrainian became a two-time undisputed champion after taking the IBF strap Dubois had worked so hard for.

The 28-year-old has had his heart questioned at various stages in his career – after a first defeat to Joe Joyce and again on the night he first came up against Usyk where he was unable to find his killer instinct.

Wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic demonstrated there was more to him with his demolition job on Anthony Joshua in September 2024 proving he belongs at heavyweight boxing’s top table.

‘People question Daniel’s mentality,’ Ali told Metro. ‘But in his comebacks, he has shown how strong he is as a fighter, both physically and mentally. Lots of fighters get hurt or get knocked out, some don’t come back from that. But Daniel has this ability to take every setback as a drive.

‘I personally believe Daniel Dubois is the second best heavyweight in the world. He has been beaten by the best in high magnitude fights but he has already shown he can come back from that and look better. I feel that is the difference.

‘He has a chance to become a two-time world champion and I believe he will be the next undisputed champion. That’s part of our journey and Wardley is just a barrier we have to pass.’

Dubois has worked with six different trainers since starting his career under the guidance of Martin Bowers at the Peacock Gym in Canning Town. After that split following the Joyce defeat, there was the short-lived link-up with Mark Tibbs before Dubois settled in with Shane McGuigan. In 2023, they parted ways after two years together.

It was under Charles that Dubois secured the best run of victories of his career against Miller, Hrgovic and Joshua but after the second Usyk defeat, team Dubois made the decision to end things and turn to Tony Sims. Before they had the chance to christen the partnership with a fight, there was another split with Dubois returning to Charles.

On the face of things, it looks chaotic. But back by Charles’ side, Ali believes Dubois has returned home.

‘With Don Charles, he understands Daniel Dubois in every way, as a person, as a fighter,’ Ali said. ‘It was like anything, you can get good and bad breaks but this was a good one, you go off to different camps and see what they can bring to the table but he came back because he felt that was his home.

‘Tony Sims is one of the best coaches in the country so there was nothing behind that. Don and Daniel just have that relationship where they know how to work with each other. Dan walks around with a world champion mentality when he’s with him.’

Wardley is now the focus. The 30-year-old secured a stunning upset victory over Joseph Parker, perhaps heavyweight boxing’s most in-form fighter, last October to claim the WBO interim title, upgraded to full champion just before Christmas.

Wardley is a ferocious operator, ascending the ranks impressively having had no amateur background, making his name in white collar boxing before turning pro.

‘We have to focus on him first and then move on,’ Ali said of Wardley. ‘He’s like a man who never went to university but then became a lawyer or doctor. He has learned the trade very well and he possesses great skill and great conditioning. Mentally, he is very strong too. He is going to be a handful on the night. But there are weaknesses and we are there to exploit them.’

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