Many questioned whether Wardley could reach world level earlier in his career, but knockout wins over Justis Huni, Frazer Clarke and Joseph Parker changed that view. He now enters the Dubois fight undefeated and carries a reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.
Jones believes Dubois has the better boxing ability, but says that lead may not matter if the fight reaches the second half.
“Fabio Wardley is a very, very difficult customer. I’ve learned to love watching Fabio, and I refuse to count him out ever again,” Jones told Grosvenor Casinos.
“Dubois is probably the better boxer, but he needs to take Fabio out early because if the fight gets past round seven, it becomes a Fabio fight.
“Fabio is a modern-day George Foreman. If Fabio gets to round 7 or 8, you can kiss the baby goodbye.”
Dubois hasn’t fought since his stoppage loss to Usyk, and this fight gives him a direct path back into the heavyweight title picture. However, Wardley became known for getting the finish even in tough fights. If Dubois can’t hurt him early, Jones believes the danger will only grow as the rounds go by.
Wardley has developed this “zombie” quality where he takes heavy shots, looks like he might fade, and then suddenly lands a massive finishing blow when his opponent gasses out. The wins over Frazer Clarke and Joseph Parker proved that he can handle world class power and still be the stronger man in the final minutes.
Calling him a “modern-day George Foreman” might be a stretch if you look at the technical side. Wardley’s defense can be wide open, and while he’s durable, he’s not exactly the solid object that Foreman was.
Dubois has “cleaner” boxing, as Jones noted, but he tends to fight in jumps. Wardley’s pressure is constant, which is where the Foreman equation actually holds water.
