Daniel Dubois recalls ‘dominating’ Fabio Wardley in sparring session but explains why things are different now

Daniel Dubois insists he dominated Fabio Wardley in sparring, but going into their professional fight, things are different.

Dubois and Wardley have shared rises through the heavyweight ranks up to world level, with the latter joining the party in recent years.

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Now their paths have finally crossed after the latter became WBO world heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title.

The Ipswich native then bravely elected to opt for a huge fight in his voluntary defence against Dubois on May 8 with world glory on the line.

Both are in their physical primes and it is an intriguing clash of styles, with the destructive pair having their own impressive KO records.

Wardley is on an undefeated streak and has yet to taste defeat, whereas ‘Dynamite’ hopes to draw on experience from a second loss to Oleksandr Usyk to prevail.

But it won’t be the first time the pair have traded thudding blows.

The pair have shared competitive rounds in sparring in the gyms as they came through the ranks and various levels.

On paper, they will know exactly what to expect from each other.

But in an exclusive chat with talkSPORT.com, Dubois believes Wardley has changed and improved since their last brutal scrap in the gym.

He explained: “Yeah it was years ago, we have had several rounds.

“They were good scraps, but I was dominating him at the time.

“He gave me some good work, but look he has come on so much since then.

“It is a different story now and I’m a different fighter. I need to dominate him in the ring now and take that belt.”

Wardley himself admitted as such, but he was in a far different place to he was now.

The divisional champion was starting out in his professional career whereas Dubois was further along in his progress.

And he believes like Dubois, that things are set to be a brawl and a real battle, with little ground to give.

Dubois’ decision to pursue immediate redemption

Last time out it was a painful loss for Dubois, who was dropped and stopped by Usyk as he sought a shot at becoming undisputed champion last July.

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In doing so he lost his IBF title, but now faces a shot at redemption in his first outing since the defeat.

Dubois is back with Don Charles, brimming with confidence, and believes the opportunity came at a perfect time.

He continued: “This is the opportunity, when I found out it was for the world title, I was ready.

“That just says enough really, I believe I am more than capable of now getting that belt back.”

Dubois had been linked with a number of alternative outings including a clash with Zhilei Zhang.

But it is straight back into the big time for the 28-year-old, who will hope to get yet another crowning moment in Manchester.