Callum Smith has offered his insight as a former champion into the upcoming showdown between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois.
This is a coming together between two of the UK’s next-generation heavyweights. Right now, Wardley is the man in the best form with two late knockout wins over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker in 2025 that saw him elevated to WBO champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.
‘DDD’ is a former IBF ruler who has beaten the likes of Anthony Joshua by KO but lost his belt in a second defeat to Usyk last July, and has not fought since.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Smith sided with the Ipswich man given his current form and his sense of self-belief.
“Now it’s been made I probably lean towards Wardley but I may change my mind as it goes on. I think Wardley’s got that better momentum. I think he’s got less miles on the clock. Dubois has had a good career, but he’s had a few losses and stuff.
“I think being an unbeaten champion, I’ve been there myself, you have a bit of invincibility about you and you believe you will beat anyone and Wardley’s got that about him, even when he’s losing, he’s still believes he can pull it off so yeah, I edge towards Wardley.”
The winner could well decide to put their belt on the line in another huge fight with former champion Tyson Fury, though he must first get through his comeback opponent Arslanbek Makmuhdov in April.
