Daniel Dubois has long been regarded as one of the most formidable power punchers in the heavyweight division. However, as he gears up for his title clash with Fabio Wardley tonight, it is evident that his most significant battles may have taken place outside the ring, within the recesses of his own mind.
Despite these unseen challenges, Dubois insists he is not retreating. If anything, adversity has only strengthened his resolve to regain 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 blending determination with introspection. 'Those personal struggles have only made me more driven. Fighting those demons off is hard work, but it's worth it.'
Channeling Pain into Purpose
While Dubois does not elaborate on the specific nature of his demons, it is clear they have weighed heavily on him throughout his 16-week training camp. Nevertheless, he is transforming that pain and pressure into positive energy as he aims to become a two-time heavyweight champion by capturing Wardley's WBO title.
Part of this journey involved reconnecting with trainer Don Charles after a brief separation following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Together, they are focused on the path back to the top, with Dubois determined to make his comeback meaningful.
'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 anticipates this pivotal moment in his career.
Driven by Past Glory
What fuels him, in part, is the memory of being at the pinnacle of the sport. Dubois once held the heavyweight championship, experiencing the thrill of being on top of the world, and that taste of glory is something he cannot forget.
'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 merely a redemption story for Dubois; it is a declaration of intent following the crushing loss he suffered at the hands of Usyk last July. Some fighters might have chosen an easier route back, selecting a lesser opponent to ease into competition. But that is 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.'
Brushing Off Defeats
When discussing his losses, Dubois dismisses them with an ease that comes from 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.'
The Power of the Jab
As for his strategy against Wardley, many analysts believe the key to victory lies in Dubois' powerful jab—a weapon capable of dismantling any heavyweight. When asked how his jab became so formidable, Dubois credits his childhood discipline.
'Years and years of push-ups,' he laughs, before turning 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 mentality has carried Dubois throughout his career. Even as a young sparring partner, getting beaten up in the gym, he knew that toughening up was the only way forward. 'You know, get 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.'
Overcoming Criticism
Dubois' mindset and no-nonsense approach to training have helped him stay focused ahead of his clash with Wardley, but he still carries 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 linger.
Many questioned his heart when he failed to see out the Usyk fight, and after the Joyce loss—where he pulled out due to an orbital fracture—some doubted his ability to fight through adversity. However, Dubois is determined to shake off those doubts, using them as motivation rather than letting them define him. The upcoming fight with Wardley is his chance to prove he is more than the sum of his past mistakes.
Respecting the Opponent
Dubois is not solely focused on his own comeback; he is also closely watching Wardley's rise. The upset win over Joseph Parker put Wardley on the map among elites, and it did not 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 is not 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.'
