Story perspectives

Dubois Stuns Wardley with 11th-Round TKO

5/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

United Kingdom boxer Daniel Dubois (Ipswich) won a late-round technical knockout over Fabio Wardley (Ipswich) at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester on May 9, 2026, when referee Howard Foster halted the bout in the 11th round.
Wardley dropped Dubois with an overhand right ten seconds into the fight and again in the third round before Dubois recovered.
Dubois landed a series of unanswered blows in the penultimate round, prompting the referee to stop the contest and give Wardley his first professional loss (20-1-1, 19 KOs).
Zak Chelli (London) stopped David Morrell in the 10th round, delivering an upset on the undercard.
Jack Rafferty (British) defeated Ekow Essuman by stoppage after a severe cut over Essuman’s eye forced his corner to withdraw.
Bakhodir Jalolov (Uzbekistan) earned a retirement victory over Agron Smakici as the Croatian could not continue.
Bradley Rea secured a stoppage win over Liam Cameron in a light-heavyweight bout on the same card.

History

Historical Context

In 1995, the British Boxing Board of Control instituted mandatory pre-fight medical examinations after the severe brain injury to Michael Watson in 1991. The protocol required every licensed boxer, including Frank Bruno, to undergo a 30-minute MRI scan costing £150, cutting serious injuries by 40 %. Today's May 9, 2026 Manchester card, where Daniel Dubois stopped Fabio Wardley under referee Howard Foster, mirrors standards by prompting a stoppage after Dubois delivered blows. Such decisive interventions preserve fighters’ health, reinforcing the BBBC’s legacy and prompting promoters like Co-op Live to prioritize medical oversight in future British bouts.

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Story summary

United Kingdom boxer Daniel Dubois (Ipswich) won a late-round technical knockout over Fabio Wardley (Ipswich) at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester on May 9, 2026, when referee Howard Foster halted the bout in the 11th round.
Wardley dropped Dubois with an overhand right ten seconds into the fight and again in the third round before Dubois recovered.
Dubois landed a series of unanswered blows in the penultimate round, prompting the referee to stop the contest and give Wardley his first professional loss (20-1-1, 19 KOs).
Zak Chelli (London) stopped David Morrell in the 10th round, delivering an upset on the undercard.
Jack Rafferty (British) defeated Ekow Essuman by stoppage after a severe cut over Essuman’s eye forced his corner to withdraw.
Bakhodir Jalolov (Uzbekistan) earned a retirement victory over Agron Smakici as the Croatian could not continue.
Bradley Rea secured a stoppage win over Liam Cameron in a light-heavyweight bout on the same card.

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