More than the main: Wardley vs Dubois preview
Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions presenting one of the best cards of the year. The May 9th card is full of domestic duels, international brawls and headlined by world title action; This is one not to miss! Louie Lefevre takes you through the main event and support card fights you may have missed, with predictions to boot.
FABIO WARDLEY VS DANIEL DUBOIS (WBO World Heavyweight title)
The poster for a blockbuster main event (Credit: Frank Warren on Instagram)
While many see Oleksandr Usyk as the king of the heavyweight division, a lengthy spell of inactivity from the Ukranian opened the door for a new world champion. Wardley was upgraded to real world champion after claiming the interim title with a win over Joseph Parker back in October 2025, and the Ipswich born underdog has more than earned his spot at the top. What Wardley lacks in technique, he more than makes up for in power. There’s no better example of this than his epic rivalry with Frazer Clarke. Wardley dragged the Olympian to deep water in the first fight to claim a draw before a highlight reel KO in the first round of the rematch. His bout with Justis Huni also springs to mind. Wardley was down on the cards and looked certain to lose before an incredible knockout stole the fight from nowhere. It will likely be a similar situation for Wardley’s first title defence, up against Daniel Dubois.
No longer the baby of the division, a couple of losses have helped take the pressure off Dubois, who still has plenty of time over those above him in the rankings at only 28-years-old. Dubois himself has been world champion, defending the IBF in a shock win over Anthony Joshua after being upgraded from interim, which he won against Filip Hrgovic. Unfortunately for Dubois, he lost that title back to Usyk in the rematch between the pair, two years after the Brit originally lost to the Ukrainian. Triple D has been flirting with the world title for some time now, even winning the WBA’s controversial ‘regular’ World title from Trevor Bryan in June of 2022. Dubois himself does not lack in power but will be cautious in trading with Wardley given Dubois’ record of being stopped in all three of his losses. Expect the challenger to try and make this a more technical affair.
JACK RAFFERTY VS EKOW ESSUMAN (Super Lightweight bout)
The chief support of the evening.
Chief support comes in the form of another all-British bust-up. Manchester-born Jack Rafferty looked to be on the ascension towards the world title scene, racking up 26 victories since his career started back in 2017. That was until a British title fight with Mark Chamberlain ended in a draw. While the two will certainly be wanting to run it back in the future, for now Rafferty is looking to get back on track against veteran Ekow Essuman. ‘The Engine’ has never quite been at world championship level, proving time and time again to be a gatekeeper at British and European level. The highpoint of Essuman’s career came in May last year, when he ended the career of once revered former undisputed Super Lightweight world champion Josh Taylor, beating the tartan tornado by unanimous decision in Scotland. Sadly, a TKO loss against Jack Catterall since has put Essuman back at British level, but he won’t go down easy for the undefeated Rafferty. Don’t let Essuman’s age fool you, he has the nickname ‘The Engine’ for a reason. He’s fast on his feet and doesn’t tire easily. I would expect Rafferty to want this done earlier, as the longer it goes, the more Essuman is likely to grow into it.
JARED ANDERSON VS SOLOMON DACRES (Heavyweight bout)
A heavyweight clash from across the pond.
Going back to the big boys once more, the world title fight isn’t the only heavyweight match-up on this exciting card. A cross Atlantic clash sees the USA and the UK put up two prospects who were once touted to take their nations by storm but fizzled out on their way up. American Jared Anderson was a knockout machine, winning his first 15 all by knockout. This included impressive stoppages over veteran Jerry Forrest and fellow undefeated prospect George Arias. Everything changed for Anderson after a points win over Charles Martin. Despite winning, Anderson was devastated he couldn’t put his opponent down and out and quickly admitted to the press that he was even considering retirement after falling out of love with the sport. A knockout loss to Martin Bakole in 2024 really took the shine off Anderson, and despite a comeback fight against a lesser opponent, the spark still hasn’t re-lit under Anderson. Solomon Dacres is quite the opposite. The man from Warley didn’t display much power early on, but his lengthy jab, quick hands and fast feet made him a fantastic points fighter in a heavyweight division full of sluggers. Dacres went 9 unbeaten, until losing by TKO to fellow British up-and-comer David Adeleye for the English title. Dacres returned undeterred last year, by grabbing a UD win over undefeated Ukrainian Vladyslav Sirenko in July. This fight depends on Anderson. If he turns up on his A-game, his power will prove too much for Dacres, but if his heart is still not truly in it, then ‘The Meal Deal’ will run rings around him.
LIAM CAMERON VS BRAD REA - Light Heavyweight bout
The final main card fight.
The final big fight on the card comes from the Light Heavyweight division, with two fighters also looking for a second lease of life. Liam Cameron has been around the block in this division, proving to be a mainstay at British level. A feud with Ben Whittaker ended in a 2nd round TKO defeat for Cameron, and this is his first decent fight since. A tune up in November proved fruitful for Cameron’s fitness, but now it will be a proper step up against solid competition. Rea is coming off the back of a close-fought defeat to Lyndon Arthur, a man who has beaten Cameron previously too. That came on the same card that Cameron came back to in November, and a fight between these two seemed the sensible next step for both. Though Cameron has seven losses, only one comes by way of knockout. I expect Cameron to lose, but it’s likely to go to the scorecards.