Manchester, England - The stage is set for an all-British confrontation as Fabio Wardley puts his WBO heavyweight title on the line against Daniel Dubois on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The bout is scheduled to take place at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester.
The championship contest marks Wardley's first defense of the WBO belt, a title he secured following Oleksandr Usyk's relinquishment. Dubois, a former champion himself, seeks to reclaim world title glory. The event is being promoted jointly by Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom Boxing.
Fight Details and Broadcast
The undercard is slated to commence around 7:00 PM BST, with the main event fighters, Wardley and Dubois, expected to make their ring walks approximately at 10:00 PM BST. For viewers in the UK, the fight will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per-View, accessible for £24.99. This package is also included within the DAZN Ultimate subscription, priced at £24.99 per month. Notably, the fight will not be available on traditional sports broadcasters like Sky Sports or TNT Sports.
Read More: Paris Boxing Match Cancelled After Okolie Fails Drug Test
Undercard Bouts
Several other contests are set to precede the main event:
Jared Anderson vs. Solomon Dacres (Heavyweight)
Jack Rafferty vs. Ekow Essuman (Super Lightweight)
Liam Cameron vs. Bradley Rea (Light Heavyweight)
Khaleel Majid vs. Gavin Gwynne (Super Lightweight)
Fighters' Perspectives
Wardley, who is considered a marginal favorite, has expressed confidence, suggesting Dubois may exhibit a lack of creative punch output, an area Wardley believes is his own significant advantage. Dubois, 28, is aiming to reignite his championship aspirations, while the 31-year-old Wardley could be eyeing a potential future bout with Usyk should he successfully overcome Dubois.
Background
This high-stakes encounter represents a significant moment in the careers of both heavy-handed British boxers. Wardley's ascent to the WBO interim title, later upgraded, came after his victory over Joseph Parker. The championship rounds and prior title experience of Dubois are seen as key elements in his challenge.
Read More: Manchester United Standard Season Tickets Rise 5% for 2024-2025
The initial publication dates for the reports range from February 23, 2026, to April 9, 2026, with some articles updated recently, indicating ongoing coverage and information refinement leading up to the event. The venue, Co-op Live in Manchester, has been consistently identified across all reports.
