The world heavyweight title fight between champion Fabio Wardley and challenger Daniel Dubois is getting closer. Before the game, Tony Bellew expressed his views.

Wardley was promoted from interim champion to official champion thanks to the belt being vacated by Oleksandr Usyk, and he promised fans a high-level first defense. He accomplished this by accepting the challenge of Dubois, who remains one of the biggest elimination risks in the division despite losing to the Ukrainian.

talking about first round tv, Former world champion Bellew rejected the idea that a more educated challenger is better equipped, saying Ipswich’s Wardley had the greater arsenal and backing him to prove it on the night.

“Great fight… People keep saying Daniel Dubois is a better boxer than Fabio Wardley, but I actually don’t think he is. I think Fabio has more strings. I think he can do more. I think he defends better.

“Don’t get me wrong, one of the things Daniel can do better is if he’s just going for pure aggression and power, then I certainly think Daniel is better technically in that area. But, as an all-around fighter, I think Fabio is better and I think he’ll show that on the night.”

In terms of strategy, Bellew laid out how he would deal with Dubois, who has stopped Jarrell Miller, Filip Hlgovic and Anthony Joshua in 2024.

“Daniel Dubois is a confidence fighter. The more confident he is, the better he is. If you can get that confidence back in the first round — stiff jab, make him question himself, work on him in short bursts. Don’t trade with him in the first few rounds. I’m going to be shooting with the jab from far away and looking to nail him when he gets in. I think by the end of the second round, he’s going to question himself.”

Regarding the power debate, Bellew warned Wardley: Dubois was dangerous early.

“I think Daniel Dubois probably hit harder with one punch, but I think Fabio used his power better and he’s definitely going to use it later on.

“Daniel’s ability to hit the ball is very predictable and he’s easy to hit, so you’ve got to take advantage of that. But, like I said before, the other side of the coin is he’s very, very dangerous when he lands. Especially in the early rounds. You’ve got to eliminate that.”

The match will take place on May 9 at Co-op Live in Manchester.