The coach who has taken Suffolk star Fabio Wardley from white collar fighter to heavyweight world champion says he'll stop Daniel Dubois in sensational fashion this weekend.
Ipswich puncher Wardley (20-0-1, 19KO), defends his WBO world title for the first time against fellow slugger Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21KO) at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester on Saturday night, with Rob Hodgins in his corner again.
Dubbed 'Don't Blink', the fight sees Wardley tackle the most dangerous puncher he's ever faced, in a voluntary defence of the crown which he claimed last year after he stopped Joseph Parker and then-champ Oleksandr Usyk decided not to face him.
“Yes, 100%," Hodgins agreed, when asked if this was Wardley's most dangerous fight yet. "I think Daniel’s in the top three hardest punchers in heavyweight boxing and his jab is like a right hand – everyone says that who’s sparred him.
“Fab’s sparred him many, many times back in the day when they both just turned pro. So he’s the most dangerous and hardest puncher we’ve faced.
“We’ve had other big fights, but I think this is the biggest fight to date because he’s the most dangerous British heavyweight over the last five years.”
So, where is his charge better?
“In a few areas," Hodgins opined. "I think Fab’s quicker, faster, and his boxing IQ is very underrated because we’ve seen him in a lot of wars.
“While Daniel has the amateur background and pedigree, not much has changed throughout his career – he still fights in he same way. He’s improved massively as a boxer and he does the basics very well.
“But I think Fab’s improved in every fight and I think he’s got that little bit more IQ and quickness. He can make Daniel miss and punish him.”
With two massive punchers colliding, the fight looks certain to end in a KO one way or the other.
Hodgins agrees - but he can only see one man having his hand raised.
“I’m going to sound biased, but the same as usual – Fab via stoppage!" he predicted.
"They’re both big hitters and I know a lot of the experts are saying whoever lands first, but I think Fab’s a little bit cuter, little bit faster and when he catches Daniel, he’s a great finisher.
“He will go for the finish, so I think Fab wins. It will be carnage from round one from both fighters, they’re both coming to knock each other out.
“So I think Fab in a style that’s never been done to Daniel before, he will stop him in dramatic fashion.”
Wardley v Dubois is live on DAZN on Saturday night.
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