Commenting at the post-fight press conference, Dubois said the punishment and early knockdowns forced him to dig deeper than many people realize.

“Got To Go To That Dark Place”

“I needed that slap just to wake up, you know, stay in reality.

“I got to dig deep and as a warrior, you have to dig deep cuz got to go to that dark place and come out on top,” Dubois said.

Dubois repeatedly praised Wardley throughout the press conference and called the fight one of the toughest experiences of his career.

“What a warrior he is.

“I was a bit nervy to start off with and a bit all over the place, but I pulled it together and got the victory,” Dubois said.

The new WBO heavyweight champion also said the fight helped him mentally after coming off a loss.

“I Needed To Get Whacked”

“Yeah. It was needed. I needed to get whacked come back up.

“I felt like a warrior in there. Just digging deep and coming back. You know, I wasn’t going to be denied,” Dubois said.

Trainer Don Charles defended Dubois strongly during the press conference and pushed back against the criticism that has followed the heavyweight throughout his career.

“No human being on this planet could ever question this kid ever again,” Charles said.

Promoter Frank Warren also described the contest as the best heavyweight fight he has promoted.

“The Best We’ve Done”

“It’s the best heavyweights fight we’ve done.

“It had everything. It had drama,” Warren said.

Dubois said he plans to rest before deciding the next step in a heavyweight division suddenly full of major options again.

“I want to grow from this fight, improve, and come back even better and go on a reign as champion again,” Dubois said.