Boxer who sparred Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois makes bold world title fight prediction

Lawrence Okolie believes Daniel Dubois will dethrone Fabio Wardley as champion in his first world title defence.

Wardley is set to defend his WBO heavyweight world title in a blockbuster all-British clash with Daniel Dubois on May 9 in Manchester.

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The ferocious punching pair can barely be separated by the boxing world, with Dubois looking to become a two-time world champion and snatch Wardley‘s crown away in his first defence.

Both fighters suggested they have the edge and the tools to win the fight during their separate appearances in the talkSPORT towers to preview the fight.

But fellow heavyweight Okolie, who has shared sparring rounds with both operators, is giving the edge to Dubois having felt his power in both hands.

Law and order

“I think it is a good fight but I think Daniel should win personally,” he said on talkSPORT’s White&Jordan.

“Daniel has a lot of experience, he might not be as sharp as Fabio but he is consistent.

“He punches very hard, and unless Fabio is able to land something early, Daniel will overwhelm him early.”

talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan disagreed with Okolie and believes Wardley has the momentum and is the favourite.

He added: “I am leaning towards Fabio as the momentum is with him.

“He has risen to every challenge, no-one picked him to beat Joseph Parker.

“He is a champion of the world, he is in great form and the momentum is with him.

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“I think Daniel has shortcomings that if Fabio can land early in the fight, we will see things from him we’ve seen before.”

Wardley: ‘I’m ready to expose Daniel’s weakness’

Wardley is used to the underdog tag, which he has excelled while using to rise to becoming a world title holder.

Now the Ipswich native has the chance to set up further blockbuster fights if he can edge past Dubois.

Himself and ‘Dynamite’ have shared sparring rounds in the past, but both have come on leaps and bounds in their boxing skillset.

And the champion believes he can capitalise on Dubois’ lack of variation in his punches to get the job done.

“For me personally, the way I feel with Daniel his punches aren’t particularly sharp or unexpected,” he explained in his own appearance on talkSPORT.

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“His shots are loaded and not particularly unexpected, that’s not to take away from his power.

“If they hit you, they will hurt, but they aren’t clean and crisp and don’t come out of nowhere.

“You know what punches are coming, just because you are big and strong it doesn’t mean you are knocking people out.

“In boxing, it’s the punches you don’t see and in that area I think he is lacking.”