'I'll collect the trash' - Dubois on Wardley's bin-man jibe

Image source, Getty Images

• Published15 minutes ago

A riled-up Daniel Dubois responded to world champion Fabio Wardley's "bin-man" jibe by vowing to make him pay for showing "disrespect".

Wardley will make the first defence of his WBO heavyweight title against Dubois in an all-British showdown at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena on Saturday.

Asked during the build-up what his opponent would do if he was not a boxer, Ipswich fighter Wardley, 31, replied: "Bin man."

That stirred the 28-year-old Dubois, who told his rival at Thursday's news conference: "I'm going to collect that trash, boy.

"It's disrespect, so I'm going to put it right in the ring. I heard what you said. I'm going to burst his bubble."

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Tension between the pair has been building for months.

Dubois declined a fist bump in their first face-off in February and the hostility continued when they met again this week, with the verbal exchanges beginning within minutes.

"You don't even run your own social media," Wardley told the Londoner. "I got asked what job you would do and I said bin man. It's not a bad job."

Dubois insisted he was "not at all" rattled, before Wardley sarcastically replied: "Yeah, he's as cool as a cucumber."

Not a word was spoken during the final face-off before Wardley again offered a fist bump - this time in jest - as Dubois looked eager to leave the stage.

Dubois' mentality questioned as teams bicker

With a combined knockout ratio of 95%, few expect Saturday's fight to go the distance.

Wardley claimed the WBO 'interim' title against Joseph Parker in October before being elevated to full champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.

He described not winning the title in the ring as "bitter-sweet", adding: Saturday night, I can have the full bells and whistles. It won't be 'and the new' but it'll be 'and still'."

Former IBF champion Dubois enters the bout on the back of last summer's knockout defeat by Ukrainian Usyk.

Dressed in a dark suit, he pumped his fist as he took his seat on stage, while Wardley opted for a more casual approach by wearing a tracksuit.

While Wardley was working in a London office less than a decade ago, home-schooled Dubois was identified early and moulded for the professional game.

But throughout fight week it has been Wardley who has carried himself like the established fighter. Relaxed and confident, he has almost been "big brothering" Dubois at times - joking during face-offs and looking completely at ease under scrutiny.

"I am very focused, very dialled in," added Dubois as the attention soon turned to the Londoner walking out of two interviews earlier this week after feeling he was being mocked.

He has previously been criticised for his mentality following defeats by Joe Joyce and Usyk, facing accusations of folding too easily under pressure, but Wardley acknowledged the challenger has also shown resilience during his recent resurgence.

"He can be very strong mentally and in other fights," said Wardley. "He has proven to be mentally strong and durable, but in other fights you've seen that lacking.

"Whether that's down to training or the team around him, it's not clear. It depends on what Daniel turns up on the night. It can be a flip of the coin sometimes."

Dubois replied: "No comment. I'm here to get the job done."

The tension spilled beyond the fighters as Wardley's manager Mike Ofo and Dubois' manager Sam Jones argued on stage.

Wardley smirked as Dubois watched in silence.

Asked for a final message to his opponent, Dubois said: "I win by any means necessary. That's it. I'm here for business. Let's fight."

Wardley was a little more forthcoming with his prediction.

"He is getting knocked out," he added. "I've done that to 95% of my opponents. I'm going to clear him out. I will land clean, land sharp and get him out of there."

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