The former IBF champion looks set to return to the ring in May against WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley, with Charles in his corner.

Charles helped Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) break through the mental barriers holding him back and they went on a remarkable charge earning him the IBF title, taking the scalps of Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua.

In July 2025, The Ring and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk brought that run to an end when stopping Dubois in the fifth round of their undisputed heavyweight title fight, two years on from their first meeting.

After the defeat, stories came to light about Dubois' fight week preparations but it was still a surprise when he and Charles went their separate ways. After a brief spell training with Tony Sims in Essex, Dubois got in touch with Charles and the two reunited.

"I'm glad they got back together, I think it's the right thing," Warren told The Ring.

"He lost his fight with Usyk and there were a lot of circumstances around it but he was on a bloody good roll.

"Some people do things, people say things and get influenced but I think he's found out for himself... that's the place he should be, so that's good."

Another heavyweight hoping for a big year is Germany's Agit Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs).

The 33-year-old has held the WBC interim title since stopping China's Zhilei Zhang in February 2025 but has been waiting to see which direction unified champion Usyk decides to move in.

Rather than let Kabayel sit on the sidelines accumulating rust, Queensberry decided to keep him active and last month, took him home for a fight against previously-unbeaten Damian Knyba, who he stopped in three rounds.

The arena in Oberhausen sold out within minutes and the event was so successful that Warren is already looking forward to a quick return to Germany. It is rumored that Kabayel will box British opposition.

Kabayel still has no idea when his world title shot will arrive but it is far easier to sit and wait for an opportunity when thousands of fans are willing to come and watch you stay busy.

"We had the balls to go there, do it and take that chance," the Hall of Fame promoter said.

"Going back a long time, there's always been a lot of love for boxing in Germany and they've got a hero. The arena sold out in just over a day. He's fighting in May and we're going for a bigger venue next time."