Wardley, The Ring’s No. 1 heavyweight, enters 2026 on the heels of a breakthrough campaign. The 31-year-old scored a come-from-behind 10th-round KO of Justis Huni in June. Wardley followed that performance with a career-best outing, a thrilling 11th-round TKO victory over former titleholder Joseph Parker.

Wardley (20-0-1, 17 KOs) was a finalist for The Ring’s Fighter of the Year honors, and his win over Parker also received consideration for Upset of the Year.

Following the Parker fight, the WBO ordered Usyk, The Ring’s heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound No. 1 boxer, to defend his title against Wardley. When Usyk relinquished the strap, Wardley was elevated from interim status.

Wardley’s first defense will be an all-British showdown as he takes on former titleholder Dubois. Dubois, The Ring’s No. 3 heavyweight, is coming off a second loss to Usyk inside the distance.

That latest loss was a fifth-round KO in June at Wembley Stadium. Dubois, 28, entered the fight with the IBF title after Usyk vacated in a similar situation to Wardley. Dubois’ career-best win came in September 2024 when he upset Anthony Joshua via fifth-round TKO at Wembley.

Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) also owns stoppage victories over heavyweight contenders Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.

DAZN news first reported the May 9 date.