Buoyed by a pair of come-from-behind stoppage victories over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker in 2025, the Ipswich puncher's raw athletic attributes and stubborn defiance when the going gets tough has seen him deliver improbable comeback wins.

Yet despite scoring two knockdowns in the first three rounds against Daniel Dubois, the 28-year-old grew into the contest and continued to inflict bruising punishment on a champion who'd never felt such punching power before.

After two medical inspections, one before round nine and another as the fight headed into round ten, referee Howard Foster waved it off early in round 11 (0:28) but the decision should've been taken out of his hands. 

Having seen Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KOs) absorb one combination too many for his liking, Team Dubois stormed the ring in celebration at winning an instant Fight of the Year contender.

Yet questions over exhibiting proper duty of care and protecting a fighter from themselves, especially when engaged in an exhausting slugfest like Wardley was, continue to linger.

Wardley's right eye was swollen shut, his nose cut and a crimson mask of blood, the defending champion was unsteady on his feet and didn't stop absorbing punishing shots to head and body. Wardley's trainer Ben Davison has since shared his thoughts on social media, posting an Instagram story discussing the night's big talking point.

Describing it as a 'modern day classic' and sharing the team's collective pride for Wardley after another gutsy performance, he said:

"I actually agree the fight could of been stopped earlier. I did not see Fabio stumble before walking over to the doctor at the start of round 10 as ironically we was discussing with each other to 'have the towel in hand', by which time he had gone over, seen the doctor and seemed much steadier on his legs.

"It's such a difficult job to not only find a balance but to strike at the right time. To stop a fight like that on a whim, when your guy is responsive and firing back. Two occasions we looked at it but the end of the round came, Fabio fired back and killed Dubois' momentum."

He also uses three different examples, twice where he opted against and once when he did throw the towel in previous fights involving Tyson Fury and Leigh Wood, reinforcing the belief it's a tough judgment call to make and the trainer must know his fighter when taking everything into account.

Wardley, who has scarring on his nose from previous fights, also spoke on social media Sunday: "My body failed me, but not my heart and that I can live with. Congratulations Dubois, thank you for a great fight worthy of the history books. Thank you to the city of Manchester and everyone that has been along on this journey with me."