Daniel Dubois, rebounding after a fifth-round stoppage defeat in his Oleksandr Usyk rematch last July, heads into another all-British world title shootout looking to emulate his explosive performance against Anthony Joshua in September 2024.

The only difference is, the former IBF heavyweight titleholder knows Fabio Wardley is a man in form and determined to dismiss his attempt at becoming a two-time world champion.

Questions about his durability, heart and temperament remain, while a new-look team and brief trainer change don't mask what many psychoanalyse as mental fragility.

Frank Warren, who promotes both, insists the loser can rebuild again though there is a suggestion it's now or never for a concussive puncher in Dubois, already envisaging the path laid out for him in the event of victory.

Defeat, at a time where Moses Itauma leads the younger pack of hungry contenders, isn't an option. Wardley embraces the moment, as someone keenly aware of the latest obstacle ahead. The dynamic is different and more difficult than Justis Huni and Joseph Parker, but that devastating power both possess merely adds to the intrigue.

Former British heavyweight champion Jeamie TKV (9-3, 5 KOs), who trains alongside Wardley in Ben Davison's gym, told The Ring last month why he believes the 31-year-old will retain his title.

"Fabio is a special fighter," he said. "He shocks me every time, from when I started boxing, I was told you have to do so much in the amateurs to get a good [promotional] deal, but he did the complete opposite. Not many people rated you if you did white collar, he did it and so quickly.

"He'll go down in history and didn't skip steps to world level either — English, British, Commonwealth — it's very impressive and that route reminds me of George Foreman, who won Olympic gold within a year after he started boxing, based on pure brute strength. Even when it gets tough in there, Fab has that little bit of grit, to bite down on the gumshield and throw shots against all odds."

Wardley's manager Michael Ofo took centre stage during Thursday's press conference, verbally sparring with Dubois' new representative Sam Jones. Ofo has defended his managerial position more than most on the top table in recent years, often deemed a glorified "water carrier," though maintains Wardley will continue dismissing the collective disrespect in the ring and it's business as usual.

He said: "As soon as that announcement goes ... 'and still,' he will be calling out Usyk. If not Usyk, we'll look for the next biggest challenge, if it's Wilder or any of those guys, they can get it. Fabio isn't afraid of any challenge," he said.

"Daniel is big, strong, has boxed at the top level and is no chump. He'll be very motivated and we'll see the best version of himself, but will that be enough to beat Fabio? I don't think so."

Where does that self-confidence come from?

"It's nothing he's doing in training or anything specific now, more what he's been doing over the past 10-12 years," Ofo added. "All those past decisions make Fabio beat these guys, because he's an ultimate professional. When they're having a little drink or couple months' off relaxing and putting on weight, he stays working."

"There's a confidence that goes with it, knowing you're at the top of the mountain. We'll see a better Fabio because they [contenders] want to take something belonging to him. From hunter to hunted and yet, he's still hunting. We chose this fight, we know it's a challenge, a scary fight that could all go wrong but that's what motivates him and gets him in the mindset to embrace these challenges."