Promoter Frank Warren admits he is in a difficult position as both Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois step into the ring for a heavyweight world title fight on Saturday night. “I promote both of them, and honestly, it’s not easy. I’ll be in both corners because they’re great guys, and I have a history with each,” Warren says.
He plans to visit each dressing room before the fight, offering the same message of good luck. “When one man hits the canvas, my first move is to comfort the loser. I won’t be jumping around celebrating. It’s tough—I don’t want anyone to lose, but that’s the nature of the sport.”
Warren has a long connection with Dubois, who has been with his team since age 17, signing professionally at 18. “There have been a few bumps along the way, but his resume is remarkable for someone so young,” Warren notes. For Wardley, the story is a fairytale: “Imagine a guy with no amateur background walking in and asking to sign, then becoming a heavyweight world champion in his 21st fight. It sounds impossible, but he did it.”
This isn’t the first time Warren has pitted two of his own top fighters against each other—he recalls Steve Collins vs. Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe vs. Robin Reid, and Calzaghe vs. Chris Eubank. “Daniel and Fabio wanted this fight. It’ll be a shootout from the first bell, like a heavyweight version of Hagler vs. Hearns. You won’t be able to look away.”
Warren also discusses Dubois’s introverted nature. “Daniel is a quiet guy who doesn’t boast. He’s taken some criticism for that, but I protect him and prepare him for media events. He doesn’t enjoy the verbal side—he does all his talking in the ring. I don’t think he’ll ever change.”
Dubois’s father is his mentor, and the family is tight-knit. After his win over Anthony Joshua, Warren had to push him into the press room. “Our job is to show the public the real fighter so they want to join the journey. Some are easy to promote, like Prince Naseem Hamed. Others are hard work.”
Still, Dubois has come out of his shell lately. Warren laughs: “The funniest moment was when he faced Filip Hrgovic. Hrgovic said Daniel had no heart, and Daniel fired back—using an expletive I’d never heard from him before. It was like getting the vicar to swear!”
