Wardley vs Dubois: Daniel Dubois refuses fist bump from world champion Fabio Wardley after face-off

Daniel Dubois rejected a punch from world champion Fabio Wardley when the two faced each other. A live press conference in London.

The world title fight between England’s two biggest punchers will take place at Manchester Co-op Live Arena on May 9.

After protracted strife between the two camps, the warriors, who had been relatively restrained up to that point, finally came back to life.

Wardley said he would “flatten” his opponent. “My strength has been proven. If time allows, I will take you out of the fight,” he added.

The 31-year-old, who has recorded 19 stoppages in 20 wins, will defend his WBO crown for the first time by taking the ‘interim’ title against Joseph Parker before being upgraded to full champion when Oleksandr Usyk relinquishes the belt.

Former IBF champion Dubois, 28, is coming off a devastating knockout loss to generational grandmaster Usyk last summer.

“If you look back, he wasn’t ready for it when things got risky,” Wardley said of Dubois, who was accused of passing too easily in the three stoppage defeats.

Wednesday’s news conference took place at Dutch Hall, a converted 16th-century church in the heart of the city.

Never one for long monologues, Dubois kept his answers short and matter-of-fact.

But the Londoner’s intentions were clear. “Victory by knockout no matter what,” he said.

When the fighters finally stepped forward for the mandatory face-off, Dubois looked away at first while Wardley grinned.

Moments later, Wardley extended his fist as a sign of respect, but Dubois shook his head and refused to engage.