5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce - Wardley and Dubois Face Off

Episode Date: February 26, 2026

Can Fabio Wardley make a successful defence of his world title, or will Daniel Dubois become a two-time champion? Ahead of their fight in May, Buncey speaks to both men at the launch press conference. Barry Jones joins and makes the argument on why we could be in for a great fight. And Queensberry boss Frank Warren is also on the pod.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. The best B2B marketing gets wasted on the wrong people. So when you want to reach the right professionals, use LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn has grown to a network of over 1 billion professionals, including 130 million decision makers, and that's where it stands apart from other ad buys. You can target your buyers by job title, industry, company, role, seniority, skills, company revenue, so you can stop wasting budget on the wrong audience. It's why LinkedIn ads generates the highest B2B return.

turn on ad spend of major ad networks. Spend $250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get $250 credit for the next one. Just go to LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. That's LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. Terms and conditions apply. This podcast is sponsored by Pocket Hose. I got to tell you, being a homeowner, there's so many things you have to think about all the time.

For example, I have to replace my hoses every single year because they're weak. They get tangled and there's kinks. then I found the pocket hose ballistic. This is the upgrade I've been looking for for a long time, man. It's reinforced with a liquid crystal polymer used in bulletproof vest. You know what that means? No kinks. It's not going to get tangled.

It also comes with this pocket pivot, which gives you total freedom of movement. And the spigot has like a 360-degree rotation, which is pretty cool. There's also this upgraded UV coating. They add it for free. So your hose basically looks brand new all the time. Right now, when you get the new pocket hose ballistic, you'll get a free. free 360-degree rotating pocket pivot and a free thumb drive nozzle. Go to pockethose.com slash podcast.

That's pockethose.com slash podcast for your two free gifts with purchase. Pockethose.com slash POD C-A-S-T. This is Five Live Boxing. It sounds like fantasy, but it's reality. Fabio Wardley defending his WBO Heavyweight Championship of the world against Daniel Dubois and Katie Tate. Taylor, the greatest female boxer in history, has decided to have one more fight. She's got her eyes on Croke Park.

I'm Steve Bunce, and this is Five Live Boxing. So it's not unique for two British boxers, two British heavyweights to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world, but it's not that common. There've been five in the past, and perhaps we'll talk about the five. Perhaps we won't. That's just the way we do our business. But we will, as I mentioned in the top, talk a little bit about Katie Taylor and her continued career. Now, to talk about Daniel Dubois, to talk about Fabio Wardley is a man who's

been ringside for a lot of their fights when they actually were at the starts of their careers, when Daniel Dubois was a baby novice, when Fabio Wardley was a real novice. That man is, of course, Barry Jones. First of all, first reactions when you heard about this. Well, actually, actually, but not first reactions, how are you? Let's be polite. How are you? No, thanks for asking, Steve. I'm all right, you know. I'm all right. You know, life can be better, as always, you know. I'm still short and bald, so that hasn't worked. I'm asking my money back.

I met the doctor, I was going to get my knees done. I found out it's not a thing. Can't get your knees extended? I thought it was going to be, like, two inches taller. I thought it was five for eight. Why don't you just do what so many of those Hollywood actors do and just wear high platforms? I tried that.

It looks ridiculous. I kept falling over. No balance. Could I just say, Barry, that we're recording this in the city of London outside a place called the Dutch Hall or the Dutch House, and it's really genuinely the city. and we've come down alleyways. It looks like...

It's beautiful, isn't it? It's beautiful. But if you notice where we are, the position I've picked, for a start, you and I are sitting on the back of the bench because the benches are filthy. Look at the rubbish.

There's a fast food box. There's another fast food box. And look at many cigarette stuff. We're in the snouters corner. The snoutes. We're in the snouters corner. We're in the smokers corner. We're in the worst possible little part.

At least one of the loiter is there is health conscious because he's got a bottle of Lucas here. No, there's a... Oh, I've just noticed, I'm standing. A bit of ten minutes. There were napkins and tissues and cigarettes everywhere. Barry, this fight itself, I think, I mean, it's one of those, wouldn't it be lovely if Fabio Wardley thought Daniel Dubois-style fights?

You know those fights that you create in your head? You don't think they're going to happen. Then they're made, then they're going to happen. I mean, there was a point in, but not so long ago, you go, imagine if Wardley got to the level of the boxed Daniel Dubois. No, that would happen. I mean, he's... It was probably Wardley that said it.

He was excited and all that, but I mean, the way he fights and all that, he couldn't get there, could he? No, the amateur experience, a few white collar box. He's going to get found out at some level, and we all said it. I mean, I don't know anyone who knows about boxing, who didn't say it. No, absolutely, yeah. That's the truth, because he is the exception, not the rule. All the people think, I'll just go white collar boxing route and I'll become a world champion.

It'll happen again, surely, but I mean, it's the exception, not the rule. You've got to be athletic. You say it will happen again and it won't happen again. It probably will happen again. It could happen again. It could. I'm going with could not world.

Fair enough. But I mean, what I'm saying, it's not impossible, but I mean, it's highly unlikely because you don't learn the fundamentals, you don't learn so many things you need to form yourself as an athlete. It's not always the technical side.

It's the toughness side, knowing what you're made of. And what he has and what he knows is what he's made of and what he's made of is tougher than Superman himself. Yeah, and that's that confidence that that carries over into the ring.

Hold on a second. I'm carrying on here. I can't let that slide. He's tougher than Superman himself. Well, are you suddenly a comic book expert? I don't know what I come from. Tougher than Superman himself. No, I just want to say steel.

Then I thought Superman's the man of steel. I put two and two together. It made seven, a bit like you do. I usually make six and a half. I mean, I'm sat next to the king of exaggerators. Whoa, that's outrageous. I can't believe you said that. There's no way I'm the king.

I'm at least number two. Barry, I'm going to let you... I tell you, because you know I love you, I've known you a long while. I'm going to let that slide, but it's tougher than Superman. That's going, son, son. I say it all the time, and I'll keep saying it.

I mean, I've never known a fight at the fire to be so impressive and the pressure since Nigel Ben. Yeah, absolutely, yeah. He hasn't, I mean, literally. And that's natural, isn't it? Just like it was with Ben, well, duh. You can't teach it, you can't teach it. And you don't know you've got it until you're in there.

I'm pretty sure. And ultimately, and very apt, Daniel Dubao is found out what he is and what he isn't made of in fights where under pressure he's crumbled I mean there's no shame in that I mean we all have a point where we can't take anymore and in some other fights where you think he's going to be able to gain He's going to crumble.

I mean he hasn't crumbled himself I said what he doesn't crumble. He comes under pressure when he's tired what he doesn't crumble with is pressure of expectation and certainly pressure of occasion because when he boxed anti-Joshua I thought that because

bear in mind you got in Wembley That was the fight he was going to crumble in, I understand exactly what you're saying. It's not boxing in Wembley. You're boxing anti-Joshua's home. Yeah, yeah, of course.

He was a boxing his house. I mean, Wembley is anti-Joshua, isn't it? I mean, I thought the pressure of that, that crowd was a Joshua crawl that he would fall the pieces. And I wouldn't have blamed him. Boothed to the ring, cheered from it. And he was probably,

that was his best performance, arguably. Well, it was his best performance. He went, he was so much confidence. From the outset, he was busy, no, assertive, and he got the job done in an impressive fashion. And of course, Fabio, not too many fights ago,

was up against it against Justice Hooney, down on, I think, on three of the cards, all three cards going into the 10th round against Joseph Parker, down on two of the cards, pulled it out in the 11th round. So we know what he can do late in a fight. I did sit down with both of the boxes, and we were talking a moment about the appearance of Fabio Wardley,

because it was quite a shock to the system. He was unbelievably finely dressed. He looked superb. It was sartorial elegance here in the city of London. Daniel, yeah, mildly smart, so to speak. But the man never changed. In fact, someone remarked today, they'd never seen Frank Warren in the same suit twice.

And I think that might be right. In 35 years, I've known him. I don't think I've ever seen him wear the same suit twice. So I sat down with Frank Warren, who's the promoter of this fight. And just bear in mind that Frank's been promoting a long time. and not all of those years had fights like this. Not all of those years did we have sellouts at places like the Coalb. Not all of those years where we're getting in 90,000,

on a regular basis in at Wembley or 67 at Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club. Not all of those years did we have world British boxers fighting other British boxers in world title fights. What a business. Anyway, I sat down with Frank because the reason why I've gone on a little bit is there's a clear message when you listen to Frank Warren talking to me. Boxing's not broke, right? Yeah, absolutely it's not broke.

And these shows are selling out. I said last year when Daniel Fulte Ousek, that was the highest attended live attendance of any fight in the world. Live attendance, 90 or not. So we're not. And we're selling out, and this fight between these two, got the massive knockout ratio between them.

It will go like that. Did you go to Fabio and suggest it, Or was it George? Was it George's son? Who went to say... Well, we talk in the office, then we put the fights to him, and that's it. But George is the CEO,

and he deals a lot with Jay, he's manager, and they go out. And Fab said yes straight away, like he would. He's a fighting man, isn't he? He's no messing about him. So, Daniel, I mean, they both wanted it. You know, and you've got one guy who's on a role because he's, you know,

he's come from nowhere and he's well champion. I mean, so Cinderella, he's a genuine Cinderella story. It's the most amazing boxing, boxing story for me in my time in boxing. You know, somebody coming from no background to be the world heavyweight champion and he got Daniel who most people would want a comeback fight

he's going straight in the deep end and these two massive bangers, these two big punches are going to duke it out. And it's not the first time Daniel's taking a risk. He steps up against Big Baby Miller in all fairness then he steps up against Philip Hergovich. Then he stepped up against AJ I know forget the results, but on paper he steps up in all three of those.

Well, going into that fight, I think that most people had, I didn't, but they had AJ as the favourite. It was on a role at the time. Absolutely. When Daniel lost to Ousek, there was a lot of talk about all sorts of things outside that happened, especially this kind of party that took place at this house. Have you had a chat with Daniel about the way of Piers? How did that go?

I just said how it is. And it wasn't satisfactory that, but it happened. and you can only learn from it and the thing is when you know I knew it happened probably about two hours before the fight and then you're sort of like

I can't have a go at him then he's got there got it a little bit late but I'm not taking up away from Rucson it was an ideal preparation but also he does sometimes struggle with South Force and he was in the best

have you wait in the world who exposes it any weakness He says you've got with South Ports, Ousick finds that hole and does what he has to do. I mean, he took him a couple of rounds because Daniel was doing well for a few rounds. So you mentioned there Fabio about the great story that is a fairy tale story. But the thing is with Fabio now is he doesn't look like a guy that came from white collar, didn't have any amateur. He's starting to look accomplished. I mean, some of those rounds against Parker, he looked fantastic.

Well, he is accomplished. Of course, he is. The hard way. The fight with Parker was a fight that everybody was demand in Piker. should get his shot against Ousek, he should all these various things, and cut a long story short. And they were saying also, which he was,

he's coming off a role himself, former world champion. He was a massive underdog in that fight and just showed what he's all about that. As he says, one split second can change the fight. And I think, well, I'm not putting words in your mouth, I like the fact that Daniels now gone back with Don Charles. So do I.

Yeah, that's the relationship that. Absolutely. I'll think it, maybe. it's good that he did leave to see that he needed to go back. The grass is green and stuff. Frank, I've got to ask you about the news reports. I'm not sure what you can say, because I'm sure it's all legal,

about the animosity and potential splits and perhaps legal situations with you and Sela, the Saudi Arabians. Where are we with that? What can you say about that situation? No comment. It is what it is, and we have a contract, and that's where we're at.

And proceedings, are in play? I can't... That's what no comments means, Steve. No comment means no comment. Well, you should just look at the comment they've made. I'm not commenting on it. They made a comment and that's where we are.

And so the catch word today is boxing is not broke. Boxing's not broke and we're not babies. So Barry, we'll deal with what Frank said about the fight in a second. But I just want to first just look back on his no comment with regards to the situation between him and the Saudi Arabians. It's been an open secret, I suppose, for the last couple of months. He has issued, or there is some court proceedings pending, or they've been initiated, or whatever the correct term is.

They don't want to get in trouble with lawyers. You don't have to panic, because that's all from Frank's mouth. It does look like our days of going to Saudi Arabia, five, six, seven times a year, and you playing five rounds of golf, and both of us having a really good time over there, in the heat, it does look like those days are over. And, I mean, could this lead to a closer pact

between Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren? And maybe even Oscar Delahoya was the American cousin to join the triangle. Or there's an argument that that Saudi connection kept them together. Will there be a more bigger divide? I know they're all on the same platform. Will it be a bigger divide again?

I don't know. All I know is whatever happens, boxing survives. Yes, as it always does. As always does, wherever it goes. and the more people involved in boxing, arguably the better, because there's more chances for fighters. And one thing about Frank

is the biggest and best survivor in the world boxing. So, I mean, it is what it is. I mean, I don't know where you asked me to crash. You get me in trouble. No, no, you're trying to find line. But I would just say, you know, like, Frank doesn't say much unless he knows what he's on about. Absolutely. It doesn't go to court to lose.

I don't think so. And as he said there, boxing's not broke, which is what I've been saying since this pod launched, 2017. I've been saying that since then, even though people keep telling me, oh, it's dead boxing, oh, it's finished. No, it's not broken. There's a great line from Warren at his final word there, as a we're not babies. And you know what? We are not babies. You can just tell also from his voice there, Barry, it's just how excited he is for this

fight. And that's just something that amazes me about promoters. And of course, it could be part of the promotion, but Don King did it. Bob Aram did it well into their 90s. How they still get enthusiastic about fights? I mean, honestly, you don't need to be a pat on the back to get excited about this. That's the absolute truth. And he's excited because he knows whatever happens, there's a dramatic finish. Yeah. Unless something silly happens, I hope it doesn't.

There's a dramatic finish. And the crowd... With drama before the dramatic finish. And you know about these fights. When you've got two big punches there, 95% K-O ratio, each, both of them, which is crazy in its own right, then you know that the anticipation of the crowd, that tingle of the crowd. You know what that feels. feels like makes it one of the best atmospheres.

And even though I much prefer the smaller divisions, only the heavyways can give you that. Are you pleased us indoors, Bell? Are you pleased us indoors? Because I'm delighted it's indoors. It makes the atmosphere more intense, I think. But I've got to be honest with Steve, when you're ringside, as you know, we're spoiled.

When you're ringside in a stadium or arena, you feel the same tension, you really do. but I mean it'll be packed out. It'll be banged out there. I mean, you think it's being satisfied to go to London. Yeah. But that co-op, the stadiums arena is massive.

It'll be jam-packed in there. It really will. And it'll be a great night. Anyway, I called up with Fabio Wardley, and I've got to tell you, in the five years I've been, or six years I've been interviewing Fabio Wardley, he has been an absolute delight

and a pleasure to talk to. And he arrived for this fight. Well, I wasn't sure if he was leaving court, going for a job interview, or just done some sort of multi-million dollar deal inside one of these exchange houses that are local tier because he was unbelievably smart. It's a big event.

I'm showing up. I've got to do my bit now. I'm a world champion. I've got to look the part a bit. I can't just turn up in my old track suit and just rock up. I need to kind of look like a champ. As life changed since you've become a world champion, all jokes aside, apart from a few quid in the bank.

No, not really. Not really. It's funny because people think, oh my God, you're world champion and suddenly, boom, like your house is plated a gold. there's a red carpet wherever you go and people are bowing at your feet and no, it's the same. I'm still at home with my family

all the same. I'm still changing nappies for my baby. I'm still in the same just dusty old gym I've been at before or nothing's new. We just stay on track and keep it moving. But it is new in the sense that you are world champion. You are top in the bill what will be a sold-out co-op arena

and you are in an incredibly exciting fight. So some things have changed. Yeah, some things have changed. From a boxing perspective, I guess, yeah. But yes and no, because I've headlined cards before, and I've been in big fights before,

or I've been on really big shows before. So yes and no, I guess there's a bit extra on top. I am the world champion, so there's a level of expectation or whatever comes with that. But for the most part, we're, it's the same. Expectation is one thing.

Do you think there might be more pressure, are you feeling any different? I know we're a ways out, but you know, you know what I'm saying. It's like a gut feeling of any difference. I don't know if there's extra pressure. Maybe because maybe it's funny because I think it's two part with me because there's always like, at least for me now, RK's World Champion, there's an expectation on that side. But also there's always this standardized kind of thing of, oh, well, this is his ceiling now.

This is his level. This has been your ceiling since fight six. That's what I mean. I don't know how many ceilings I've broke through. Lots of them. No, it's very true, doesn't it? I mean, it's been, you see, oh, that's okay. He caught Parker on an off night.

He caught Hooney on an off night. I mean, you know, if you beat Daniel Dubroix, he caught Daniel Dubrae on an off night. That's stopped, surely, surely people have stopped doing that. You would hope, you would hope, but I don't know. It's an ongoing narrative with me, which I don't know will ever end. Kind of really no matter what I do in my career, it will always be, ah, well, yeah, but there's always either,

Either are too far or there's a caveat of some sort of, oh yeah, but this or but that or that's kind of good really because if people ever ask you about this, but it doesn't mind if it comes to it, I can go back to the white collar circuit. That's what I mean. Don't worry, if it all goes wrong, I'm going back to my office job.

I'm getting back on the keyboard and mouse. Fabio from accounts. Yeah, I'm getting straight back in. Don't remember about that. It's ridiculous, really. But all jokes, listen, Daniel's a terrific dangerous opponent and full privileges to the pair of you for taking the fight.

But your name's also being mentioned by a lot of other people. And that's a switch. Suddenly you're in Alexander Ousick's mouth and you're in Tyson Fury's mouth. Those are things to look. I mean, those are the thing, I know it's a pinch yourself situation,

but those are things to look forward to, aren't they even with those two fights? Yeah, look, hugely. Usually they're the fights that you dream of. Don't get wrong, you dream winning a world title, but you also dream and being in those beyond memorable fights, occasions, those I was there. Yeah, events. I was their events.

Like, oh, look, it's the massive buildup of months towards, oh, it's Wardley versus Fury and it's here and it's a stadium and da-da-da-da, all of that. That's what, for me at least, that's the next milestone. Fabio V. Tyson, Fabio Fee, Alexander. That sounds good, doesn't it? It does sound good, it does sound pretty good. It does sound pretty good. Don't get wrong.

I've got the task of Daniel DeBara ahead of me right now. It's a task. And no disrespect and to take nothing away from him at all. It is a task. But it's a task I think I'm very much up to. There's nothing to skip over here in terms of it was a voluntary and I voluntarily chose him. Because I think, don't you're wrong, for the respect as well,

because I think he's a great fighter. I think he's good. I just think I've got the beating of him. He's unbelievably good when he's good, isn't it? You know what I mean by that? Yeah, when he's good, he's unbelievably dangerous. I want to ask you, because you're really sensitive. and I probably shouldn't ask, but I'm going to ask you anyway, about loyalty in boxing.

You've been very loyal to the people around you, the people that are close to you. You know, those are your people and everyone knows that. And I just wondered, if you don't want to answer, it doesn't matter, if you had any thoughts and feelings on the Conner Ben, Eddie Hearn situation. Yeah, it threw me. That's why I'm asking you. It's hugely through me as well. I was really surprised by it as well.

And it's a bit of a hard one for me in the sense of, I understand both sides. I understand why Eddie's upset and hurt and how he feels a bit kind of betrayed for all that he'd done, for all the time and effort he put in and all the defending and everything he went through. And I also understand Connor Ben's perspective

of look, this is a ridiculous amount of money for one fight. Like, I've got to take it. It's ridiculous to me to say no. The only area I would have maybe a criticism or something potentially negative to say would just be how you go about it. Yeah. I think honesty

there's a way to go you could, I would feel like between them too if they have the relationship that Ed says they do or at least Connor as well says they do you could go to him and say look mate just go over there and have a chat. We'll have a conversation here because

I've got something huge over here and look I really appreciate everything but I think you as my promoter but as my friend can understand how big of this opportunity is for me so I'm just telling you man to face to face, this is what I'm planning on doing. I'm giving you a heads up.

I'm giving you a window. I'm letting you know. So it's not a surprise or whichever else would be the way I would expect it to be gone about, but each to their own. Exactly. So listen, as the payoff, it's Fabio Wardley, the face of British boxing, the heavyweight champion of the world and the man who still changes nappies. You're happy with that as a headline?

Yeah, I'll take it. I think it summarizes me perfectly. I think I'll take it. I think I'll take it. And who in about 10 minutes time is going to change out of the slickest suit in all of central London and back in and back into his tracksail. I actually am as well, yeah. Done, fam. We're done, we're done.

Pleasure. The best B2B marketing gets wasted on the wrong people. So when you want to reach the right professionals, use LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn has grown to a network of over one billion professionals, including 130 million decision makers. And that's where it stands apart from other ad buys. You can target your buyers by job title, industry, company, role, senior. skills, company revenue, so you can stop wasting budget on the wrong audience.

It's why LinkedIn ads generates the highest B2B return on ad spend of major ad networks. Spend $250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get $250 credit for the next one. Just go to LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. That's LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. Terms and conditions apply. Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. With the wise account you can send, spend and receive in over 40 currencies, no markups and no hidden fees. Whether you're sending pounds across the pond, spending royals in Rio or getting paid

in dollars for your side gig, you'll get the mid-market exchange rate on every transaction. Plus, most transfers arrive in less than 20 seconds. Join 15 million customers internationally. Be smart, get wise. Download the wise app today, or visit wise.com. T's and C's Apply. It's 2009 and we're in the German

mountains. A man straps himself into a car on the world's most dangerous racetrack. He whispers to himself. It's time to put my balls on the dashboard. As he starts the engine. In 15 minutes, he's in an ambulance, unconscious. In 15 years, he's a billionaire.

This is Toto Wolf, Formula One's most powerful team boss and the breakout star of Drive to Survive. This week on Good Bad Billionaire, how Toto Wolf made his billions. Listen wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Before we talk about some of the things he said there about the fight and some of the things that we know we can look forward to, You obviously did the, you know, we were both inside when they had the conference.

Let's just talk about his progression. And it's becoming a bit of an insult now. And he even jokes about it to even refer to his old days, refer to his white-collar days. And the idea that he's, I love the idea that he's hit a ceiling. Because this is what, you know, it's what he's saying. I've hit a ceiling, but I've hit one ceiling. Then I hit another ceiling. Then they said I wouldn't get past this and I hit that ceiling.

He just keep crashing through ceilings. He said, my head's hurting. He says it, Tony and Chiquel. He says, I keep proving people wrong. But it means something to. I think? He wasn't sure how good he was because how can you?

It's a great line. When you have no basis like, you know, I knew how good I was can I have the good amateur career so how far I went I never thought I'd be a world champion but I mean I thought

oh at least I could do a British title which is amazing level by the way so I thought that was always a big stretch but I think I can... Especially down at your way Well either way but I mean you think I got the ability to do that what happens

what happens? I mean him he has nothing he had no basis to fall back from so what did you know? I mean is progression as a fighter being fantastic is progression as a person

as a personality. Let's talk about that. As a potential poster boy for British boxing. And sport even. I mean, he's a likable kid. He's charismatic. He talks about. He'll do my job in a happy if he wants to.

I mean, I don't think the broadcasters will be able to afford him. Now, you'd be unemployed. As soon as he wants to join the zone, no disrespect, Bell. Yeah, no, I think you'd take back as position more than mine. No, no chance, no chance. No, I think back, I'd be the one to go first, definitely. No, no. I'm telling you not.

I'm just telling you. No, listen, anyway. Wardley might have to decide. Well, if he takes my job, I'm taking yours and then everyone's... I don't have a job. I'll keep better. That's the beauty of my position. I'm just at large.

I'm Steve Bunce at large. Fair enough. But he, I mean, he has the potential now, but all he needs is some more names around his name. Yes. I mean, that's... And this is a start, DuPois, isn't it? Not to show good he is, because he's shown that. To sell him, super-sat-clicat.

Once the public outside of the box, you know who he is, I mean, he'll be popular. demand. He has that cheeky confidence that people saw... Which is an arrogant that is obviously not arrogance. That people really adhere to but also a tad jealous of. So he's one of those kids

where you like, people are like him but they'd also be a little bit envious of him and so that'll make you... Do you know what I mean? You don't want him to lose but you don't want to be... That's why he has that, which is a brilliant thing to have. And I think you know, if he... I'm going to say these names, it's crazy. Now if he beats

to where, Joshua's coming back. I mean, I mean, Fury's back in the mix. These are, these are worldwide recognizable, he's outside,

not outside of the box, outside the sports. In the next 18 months, he could follow three of them. I mean, but what if he goes on and beats everyone? I mean,

I'm saying, I know, but it's not crazy anymore, like it would have been. I mean, he becomes a superstar. He's the perfect postable because he walks home

with respect. He's sellable. He's cheeky enough to give it back as well. You can't beat him in a word of words. If I can get my words out if he wants to be like that.

But he does it without being disrespectful, which is a knack that you, again, the things you can't teach. He has a lot of things that are just natural, and being charismatic is one of those. Well, if you're only a casual or part-time boxing fan, and a bit of a fan, as you can tell. And I don't mean that in any, I don't mean that in any disparaging way. If you're not a massive, massive devoted boxing fan, but you like listening to this pod, then you would have heard Fabio over the last two or three years, and you would have heard the change in the way he talks and his professionalism and just how mature he sounds.

And then if you've managed to catch some glimpses of him, you realize how exciting it is. Now, before we hear from Daniel Dubois, I've just noticed something, Barry, and it's a rare one. You and I are both rocking heavy corduroy. I've got heavy corduroy shirt, and you've got heavy corduoy trousers. Now, we've gone a lot of years together.

The thing is, your jacket's so big. No, no, I've got a... It's so big, I've got a... I can make three pairs of trousers out of your shirts for me. pair of, you've got dark blue trousers, I've got a grape-colored shirt, both two corduroy. That's going some, son. Yes. Anyway, we move on.

Daniel Dubois is a, as you know, a notoriously difficult interview. The best interview I ever did with Daniel was on an open-top bus as the trees were coming down and taking people's hats off and hitting people in the face and Daniel was ducking and throwing punches and we did a fabulous interview on a double-decker bus. This one was not so fabulous and that's because I don't think it's fair sometimes and I'll say this now, I don't think it's fair sometimes to put Daniel in a really crowded, noisy room where there are loads of distractions and people in his face. Daniel needs to be somewhere a bit outdoors here and a bit more relaxed.

Anyway, here's Daniel talking and bear in mind he's still only 28. Oh, you forget that with Daniel, talking about this fight and his future. Dan, a massive fight, another heavyweight fight. It's endless with you. You go from big fight to big fight to big fight. You enjoying it? It's been the tradition now, isn't it? I'm loving it. I'm loving it.

This is how I want to go out, a legend in the sport. So you need to fight the best and beat the best. But were you tempted just to have an easier fight down, to get back into the winning ways? No, you won't get out for an easy fight. You just sit on your, you know, you won't. Your blood won't get going. You won't want it enough.

So this is the fight I need. And can you tell that when you're in the gym that if you were just training for an easy fight, you know you'd be different? Yeah, the energy is different. You know, I don't want it as much. My dad, my team, my coaches. They're not fired up.

But for this one, we're fired up. So you need a bit of... You need danger. Yeah, don't tell you wrong, you need a bit of fear, a bit of danger in that element. And Fabio delivers that bit of element for you. For sure. Him, the prize, the awards, it's definitely there. You've still got a lot left.

You feel you can do, don't you? You've still got a lot left to achieve. Yeah, yeah. I'm at the top now, so there's no going back. Now, last summer, it didn't work with Usik, but then that's Alexander Usik. That was there, but it didn't work a few years ago in other fights. Then you just keep on coming back.

They can't, they can't, they can't, they can't? They can't stop us. Can't stop us. They keep coming back to life. They thought I was dead, but... I'll come back. Looking back on your career, on this kind of roller coaster, and looking back on somebody incredible and incredible fights you've had,

what's been the best moments so far, then, in your career? What's been the best moment? What's been the moment It's going to live with you forever? Probably Probably the world title fight and the fights before that The build up Hoguevich, Miller

Those fights have been up there You know, that's been the turning point Do you watch your fights back then? No You don't? So you don't sit around with your dad and friends and family and watch them? No. No. Why not?

Sometimes I watch them for like analyzing it but not on a whole, not really. I like to let that moment past because I'm going to focus on the future. Now, on the subject of focus on the future, you're back now, you're working again with Don Charles. So you've been reunited with Don. Is that good?

Does that feel right for you? That feels right. Yeah. I think, yeah, the reaction I got, that's definitely a right move. Now, one thing that strikes me, Barron, I know this, I've nicked this from you, is that you have to have a little bit of degree of pity for Daniel because it's always like,

to take the words directly out of your mouth, it's like he always has to somehow prove himself. Yeah, I mean, you've got to think When's enough enough, what have I got to do? I win a world title I've been good people in front of me I knock them over I come back from adversity

All the things that you like to see You know I'm meant to lose I'm meant to lose I lose again I come back stronger You know I beat the guy I beat Andy Joshua in Wembley at home

You know what I mean All these things But they're asked little question Max obviously There's always those things And they might remain forever And it's that word quit That we're not supposed to say

I mean it's not a criticism it's just something that everyone might potentially do is how you do it and I just think once you do it and you do it a couple of times it's always going to be attached to you it's never going to leave you

it's not saying you're going to do it again or you'll do it at all but it's there and so and fight to see that and Fabio pretty much said everything but at the press conference we'll see what it's like when I'm swinging how you're going to react to that I'll tell you what he is Daniel

he's technically a very good boxer he has better feet than people remember They don't think, oh, he's a slow guy who walks forward behind a jab. I mean, he slows down when he tight, it's dramatic because he's muscle-bound. But in the early rounds... Did he look a bit slimmer to you today?

I know he's got a suit on and a shirt on. No, he did it over, yeah. I mean, that suit wasn't bulging. Fabio's was bulging. But I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, and I think in this sort of fight, I think the way Fabio fights, you're forced into a firefighter,

so you might have to just go, well, I need that weight and we'll just go for you. And if I blow it after five rounds, well, the chances are. One of us not going to be on her feet after five wrongs. It's easy to say that. You've got to be a brave man to think that way and do it, but Fabio thinks that way.

That's the only way he thinks. So for Daniel, you've got to be thinking, and he's can't, listen, we can't fight at that place for 12 rounds, most heavy ways can't. Yeah. So, but I have the power. Fabio can. See, I think, I think they're perfect for each other stylistically and they're a nightmare for each other in the same measure. Yeah. Because what they do...

So it's a perfect storm? Oh, because what they do is the worst thing for you. Like Fabio's swinging like a lunatic. putting you under pressure, making you panic. Daniel doesn't want that, but also Fabio's swinging at you, coming right at you, these massive gaps for the direct punch you throw. Daniel's a great point. So I think it's a perfect thing, but Daniel,

if he can show the confidence that he had against Anthony Joshua, it's a hard night for Fabio Wardy. It's a hard night for both of them, I think we can know that. Now Daniel's moved back and gone back now to Don Charles. Don, you know, keeping, holding his own counsel about it. We didn't talk to him today in tension. They want to get him in fight with him, when I go to his farm, as he called it,

he agreed to let us go back to his farm where he's surrounded by horses, where he's got this gym in and it looks like an old hay barn. So this is where Daniel trains, so he's isolated. I think Daniel likes that. Is that, was that a good move, or is it just a normal move,

or are you happy that it's happened? I think so. I think you went to looking at other places, because as always, you always want to better yourself. But sometimes, you know, and we've seen that in the past, that you don't want to lose what you've got.

And sometimes, just being comfortable, knowing where you are, listening to people you trust, That's all it is sometimes. It doesn't mean the people you went to with any worse or trainers. They might be better trainers. But if you're not comfortable, it's not the right fit. You're not going to have that motivation and want to get up and do the old work and do the hard work.

So I think him and Don are a good fit. I would say that. So that's Daniel Dubois challenging Fabio Wardley for the WBO Heavyweight Championship of the World. That's a sentence. And I know it sounds like a cliche. I didn't think I'd ever utter. It's at the co-op in Manchester on Saturday the 9th of May. And it will be, if you're thinking about a...

a May fight or an April fight, I think inside there on that night when they come out and the fight itself, I think it will be an absolutely exhilarating spectacle. I think it'll be a great event. I think it'll be a sensational fight. I think this one don't blink, or is the other one don't blink? I'm confused.

I think this one is don't blink. This one is don't blink. And for once, it may be absolutely right. The second title, of course, will be Battle of Britain. We've only used that 74 times in the last 25 years. Battle of Britain. That's Dubois, that's Wardley, news whilst we were at the press conference

that Katie Taylor at 39 years of age and after 26 fights, has decided to have one final fight. Now, obviously she wants it to be in Dublin, she wants it to be at her beloved Croke Park. I did something with her in Kalani about four weeks ago and she was talking about fighting on, but also talking about walking away.

What we don't have yet is the opponent. By the time you're listening to this, there might have been an opponent named. If they want to go to Croke Park, I would argue, I would argue, it's got to be a big opponent and a kind of odd opponent. Who? Yeah, that's what I'm just one frown to you. It can't be Serrano again.

No. More than anything, the way she beat her the third time. Yeah, the third time was so comfortable. But, I mean, the two other fights were fantastic. Shantelle Cameron. That's what I was thinking. Shantel camera, I think that finishes that. I don't think Katie wants to give Shantel a payday.

She feels a bit bitter towards Shantel. thing Chantel said. I thought about Tasha Jonas. Yeah, that's not about her. Who said she's not fully retired. She said she might come back for one big fight.

But is that big enough for Croke Park? I mean, Katie, it was a tight fight when she beat her, but she beat her. I don't know. I think Katie's last stand, it might not matter who the opponent is. I agree with you there.

I agree with you there. In which case, it could be anybody. Yeah. I'm glad she's walking away. I mean, it's a hard career, and it's a harder life if their career has been too hard on you while you've been boxing. So she walks away now. I mean, a legacy is nailed on.

I mean, what she's done has been tremendous. And her position inside Irish life is secure as well. I've seen out close and personal. But one thing that Lee Wood said something to me when we were both up in Nottingham at the weekend when I was interviewing him in the ring. How well did the Vox, by the way? It was sensational. I mean, that was just beautiful.

And I felt for both of them in a way because it looks. like they were going through some sort of retirement plan but at the same time it was glorious. Bole Lee was brilliant and Josh obviously ended in the fight with a lot of dignity. Crowd was great. Great event. But Lisa sent to me at the end when I asked him, I said, I'm going to ask the inevitable question Lee. He said, I can't really

answer, he said, but one thing I do know is I don't want to lose here in front of my fans against a young man, a dangerous young man. So in many ways I think Katie might be the same thing. So whereas wouldn't it be great if Caroline Dubois moved up in wait and thought her,

what's the point? That, that's... So therefore I'm looking... I've got to think laterally. I've got to think it's someone like Jonas. Someone like... Not Serana, but someone... Like a Holly Holm.

I know that Holly Holm lost in a world title fight. But something like that, Barry. Yeah, I mean, she's probably seeing some of the fights some of the men having the 10-end of the career, maybe with the pack of. That means she's coming back in 10 years, you mean. She's got 10 more years. Can I get some sort of circus fights?

Yeah. I mean, it's disrespectful. No, no, no. Show me some sort of fight where it's not real box. Like a Hollyholm is a real box. Somebody like Rhonda Rousey or something like that, I don't know. But either way, I think a nice, genuine fight to finish. I mean, but not someone who's young and fresh.

She's been to the world too many times. She doesn't need that. I think so. I've got to say, you're talking about this May the 9th. May, we might get three contenders for a fight of the year. April's not bad as it is. In the first week in May. Benevides Ramirez.

Yeah, you love that, don't you? Nakatani versus in a way Yeah And Wardi versus Dubois You'd like to go to two of those Wouldn't you? You'd like to go three of them And in the same night I'm not going to work that out

I don't know Impossible BBC's magic Where are we going Which one we go into Solly hole Midlands area title I boxed

Solly Hall actually Enough on with Solly Hall So they came face to face of day both in their very smart suits Then Barry Jones and I sat out in the Smokers Pit and made this pod It was beautiful

Fabio is in great form Daniel was Daniel. Frank Warren was well. He was reflective. And we're getting ready on May the 9th at the co-op in front of about 23,000 people. We tend to invent the figure for the co-op. Who knows what it is. But hey, oh, we go with 23,000. It was good enough for Oasis, good enough for Bruce Springsteen. And they're going to fight. And it will be, Barry, we can say the eighth time that a world heavyweight championship fight was contested by two British boxers. It will be. definitively number eight. That's what. We'll go for number eight, yes? Yes, we will. You don't even have to answer. Barry Jones was with me.

The boxers are with me. It's slightly getting dark. There were sea goals. Of course, there are sea goals. We're in central London. I'm Steve Bunce, and this has been five live boxing. I'm Rich Hall,

and this is Sports Strangest Crimes presents Confessions of a Super Bowl streaker. When people ask me what I do, I say to them, well, by day or by night. The story of one man's mission to conquer the holy grail of streaking the Super Bowl. Mark Roberts is too lively for his body. He's just like the entertainer.

Mark pushes the boundaries of what is socially acceptable. No chance, Texas. It's really strict, but then the moral thoughts about it. No, though, I'm not going on, what are you about? Sports Strangers Crimes presents Confessions of a Super Bowl streaker. Listen on BBC Sounds.