Frank Warren envisions a consolidated champion emerging in roughly 18 months as division-unifying bouts kick off early next year. The promoter remarked, “I think it’ll happen in about 18 months because of the timings of it all,” adding, “We will make them as soon as we can, I expect in the first quarter we’ll have at least one of those unifications on. If we get it on, somebody’s going to be holding two belts.” Several marquee matchups are already scheduled for the coming months, including Kabayel competing in Germany this November, alongside a December clash featuring Tyson Fury and AJ with the WBA ‘super’ belt at stake. Outlining the busy slate, Warren noted, “Filip’s got a mandatory against [Frank] Sanchez,” before explaining, “We’ve got Agit, who’s fighting in November in Germany and we’ve got Tyson [Fury] and AJ fighting in December [for the WBA ‘super’ title]. So they’re all busy but we’ll be out, don’t worry about that.”
At London’s O2 arena on Saturday, Daniel Dubois successfully defended his WBO heavyweight title by stopping Fabio Wardley in two rounds. Following his emphatic victory, the British fighter maintained that no competitor in the weight class could withstand the power of his strikes. Refusing to let Wardley’s resilience stall his momentum, Dubois stated: “No. Fabio’s got a great chin. He’s known for taking punishment but I was going through him. I just had to pull myself back and reset. I want to know who’s next!” Observing the champion’s rapid progression, promoter Warren declared, “Daniel in my opinion he’s not the same fighter he was even a year ago. He’s a totally different fighter now.” Warren praised his charge’s clinical finishing, adding: “When he’s doing what he’s doing at his best, you’ve got to be some fighter to be standing and being able to take those shots. He’s a tremendous puncher. When he gets you in trouble, you are in trouble. He’s a good finisher.”
The division’s belts were redistributed after former undisputed monarch Oleksandr Usyk relinquished his titles, enabling Dubois to claim the WBO belt prior to his initial bout with Wardley, while Filip Hrgovic captured the IBF strap by defeating Moses Itauma and Agit Kabayel was elevated to WBC champion. Looking toward future assignments, Dubois declared, “I’ve heard talk about Kabayel but I’ll fight whoever’s next in line. Whoever pays the most cash,” while targeting a third clash with Usyk. Although the undefeated Ukrainian stopped Dubois in both of their previous contests, the London native remains confident he has elevated
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