“I have to take his 0,” Dubois said. “I’m going to be the first man to do it.” When asked for a prediction, he kept it simple. “Victory by knockout.”
Dubois did not extend the message further. He kept repeating the same point. Wardley responded in his own way. When the talk shifted to Dubois’ coaches and camp change, he brushed it aside.
“One coach, two coach, no coaches, I couldn’t give a (expletive),” Wardley said. “He’s not going to get in the ring and help him. The clock is going to run. It’s going to be me and Daniel.”
Wardley reminded everyone that this was a voluntary defense and that he had chosen Dubois himself. “I picked him out,” he said. “It’s the best name on the list. It’s the best fighter available.” He said he wanted the credit that comes with beating a name opponent rather than an easier option.
The teams exchanged words about experience and past battles. Dubois’ side pointed to his resume and power. Wardley’s team lost past and how Dubois handles pressure. The back-and-forth grew louder, but both fighters remained straight as they spoke.
“By any means necessary,” Dubois said. “It’s not mentioned for a reason.”
Wardley stood his ground at the podium and later during the finish. He said he would walk to the center of the ring on May 9 and meet Dubois head on. “I promise you your husband will take the first step back,” he said.
The fist bump was not returned. Dubois stayed back and left the stage without closing the gap. For a fight built around knockout power, that moment said a lot.
