Daniel Dubois captured the WBO heavyweight crown on Saturday night, halting Fabio Wardley in the eleventh round of a thrilling all-British encounter at Manchester's Co-op Live.The victory came despite Dubois hitting the canvas twice early in the contest, first from a glancing blow just ten seconds into the opening round, then taking a knee in the third as Wardley appeared poised for a commanding performance.However, Dubois recovered to dominate the later rounds with his jab and powerful right hands."It was a war, we went through the sticky moments," Dubois declared ringside.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour Say"I had to get back up, bounce it off and come back harder. I'm a warrior."The triumph represented a emphatic response to those who have questioned Dubois's mental resilience over the years.Following his 2020 defeat to Joe Joyce, the London fighter faced intense scrutiny, with some critics going so far as to brand him a "quitter."Those doubts have lingered throughout his career, but Saturday's performance silenced the sceptics in dramatic fashion.After weathering Wardley's early storm, Dubois found his rhythm and began landing telling shots that left his opponent's face badly marked."I had to pull it out the bag and rely on (the jab) and use all of my skills," he said. "What a great fight, what a great battle. But, I'm number one again."LATEST SPORTS NEWS:MotoGP icon Marc Marquez suffers horror crash as nightmare health update providedArne Slot responds to booing Liverpool fans after Rio Ngumoha decision: 'People don't know everything'Coco Gauff smashes herself with her tennis racket in bizarre Italy Open incidentThe build-up to Saturday's clash was marked by tension between the two fighters.Wardley had sparked animosity with an off-hand remark suggesting his opponent would be working as a bin man were it not for boxing, prompting Dubois to vow he would "take out the trash."Dubois cut a withdrawn figure during fight week, walking out of two separate interviews as he prepared to return to winning ways following the loss of his IBF belt eleven months earlier.Promoter Frank Warren, who handles both boxers, was effusive in his praise for the spectacle."It was amazing," Warren said. "These two guys showed such great heart, chins, it was an amazing fight, it had everything. It's the best heavyweight fight I've ever put on."Despite the pre-fight hostility, Dubois was gracious towards his opponent once the final bell had sounded."He's a durable guy, a great warrior. Thank you for a great fight, man. It was an honour to be in the ring with you," he said.The win marks a significant turnaround for Dubois, whose second loss to Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium was overshadowed by footage showing him hosting a party at his home shortly before being stopped in the fifth round.Warren confirmed a rematch clause exists in the contracts, though Dubois has his sights set on bigger things."I want to grow from this fight, improve and come back even better and go on a reign as champion again," he added.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter