{"id":2705,"date":"2026-05-10T15:30:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T15:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2705"},"modified":"2026-05-10T15:30:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T15:30:19","slug":"fabio-wardley-reassures-mum-as-fans-disgraced-by-brutal-daniel-dubois-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2705","title":{"rendered":"Fabio Wardley reassures mum as fans &#8216;disgraced&#8217; by brutal Daniel Dubois win"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_5699b0\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Daniel Dubois beat Fabio Wardley to become a two-time heavyweight boxing world champion, and the defeated fighter had to reassure his mother, Shonni-leigh, that he was OK afterwards<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">10:11, 10 May 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 10:14, 10 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37135341\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Fabio Wardley making the OK hand sign\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37135341.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Mirror.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37135341.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Mirror.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37135341.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Mirror.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37135341.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Mirror.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Fabio Wardley insisted that he was OK after his defeat to Daniel Dubois\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Fabio Wardley insisted that he was OK after his defeat to Daniel Dubois<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fabio Wardley reassured his mother, Shonni-leigh, at ringside that he was OK after a bruising defeat to Daniel Dubois. The referee, Howard Foster, stopped their fight 28 seconds into the 11th round with Wardley unable to defend himself anymore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Wardley, 31, was still standing at the time and was not knocked down by Dubois during the brutal bout. However, his right eye was swollen shut, compromising his vision, and the bridge of his nose was bleeding heavily, affecting <!-- -->his breathing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">After the stoppage, Wardley fell to the canvas. However, that was due to exhaustion and relief that the beating ended.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_877b99\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley re-match clause revealed after classic heavyweight clash<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_877b99\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Daniel Dubois KOs Fabio Wardley in brutal heavyweight thriller<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Once back upright, the dethroned champion sought out his mother, Shonni-leigh, at ringside. While leaning over the ropes, Wardley repeatedly reassured her that he was OK before sitting down in his corner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">British Boxing Board of Control doctors inspected his injuries three times in the ring, but on each occasion let the fight continue. The consensus is that Wardley lost the last several rounds after his early success.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He dropped Dubois twice in the opening three rounds to take a commanding lead with two 10-8 rounds. However, they were arguably the only ones Wardley won as his opponent dominated thereafter.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37134938\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37134938\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.59\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Daniel Dubois punching Fabio Wardley during their boxing match\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37134938.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Fabio-Wardley-v-Daniel-Dubois-Co-op-Live-Manchester.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37134938.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Fabio-Wardley-v-Daniel-Dubois-Co-op-Live-Manchester.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37134938.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Fabio-Wardley-v-Daniel-Dubois-Co-op-Live-Manchester.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37134938.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Fabio-Wardley-v-Daniel-Dubois-Co-op-Live-Manchester.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Fabio Wardley took plenty of punishment from Daniel Dubois\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Fabio Wardley took plenty of punishment from Daniel Dubois<cite aria-label=\"Image: Richard Sellers\/PA Wire\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Richard Sellers\/PA Wire)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As a result, he appeared significantly down on the scorecards, prompting several observers to call for a stop to the fight multiple rounds before referee Foster eventually intervened. One fan told the BBC that it was a &#8220;disgrace&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They claimed to have &#8220;never been so uncomfortable watching a boxing match, and concluded that it was &#8220;awful to watch&#8221;. Another fan added: &#8220;We&#8217;re used to being entertained, but that was brutal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One more accused Foster of &#8220;terrible refereeing,&#8221; saying that the fight &#8220;should have been stopped earlier.&#8221; Someone else agreed, saying: &#8220;That was stopped a bit late and was getting unpleasant.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Subscribe to DAZN<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. 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Wardley told DAZN in October last year: &#8220;She has always been my biggest fan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a funny one, when you speak about your mum about boxing or combat sports in general, it can be very brutal. She&#8217;s never been the one to hide behind her hands, not watch or not watch what&#8217;s going on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cShe has always been loud at the front of the crowd, on her feet, cheering, shouting, basically trying to get in the ring herself, if she could. She&#8217;s been my biggest supporter in that sense.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong> <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MirrorSport#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daniel Dubois beat Fabio Wardley to become a two-time heavyweight boxing world champion, and the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2706,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2705"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2705\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}