“I’ve got to take his 0,” Dubois said. “I’m going to be the first man to do it.” When asked for a prediction, he kept it simple. “Victory by knockout.”
Dubois did not stretch the message beyond that. He kept repeating the same point. Wardley responded in his own way. When the talk shifted toward Dubois’ trainers and camp changes, he brushed it aside.
“One trainer, two trainer, no trainers, I couldn’t give a [expletive],” Wardley said. “He’s not going to get in the ring and help him. The bell’s going to go. It’s going to be me and Daniel.”
Wardley reminded everyone that this was a voluntary defense and that he chose Dubois himself. “I picked him out,” he said. “That’s the best name on the list. That’s the best fighter available.” He said he wanted the credit that comes with beating a name opponent rather than an easier option.
The teams exchanged words about experience and previous fights. Dubois’s side pointed to his résumé and power. Wardley’s side brought up past losses and how Dubois handles pressure. The back-and-forth grew louder, but both fighters stayed direct when speaking.
“By any means necessary,” Dubois said. “It’s called Don’t Blink for a reason.”
Wardley stood his ground at the podium and later during the face-off. He said he would walk to the center of the ring on May 9 and meet Dubois head-on. “I promise you your man will be taking the first step back,” he said.
The fist bump was not returned. Dubois stayed back and left the stage without closing the distance. For a fight built around knockout power, that moment said plenty.
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