Luke Littler hints at Misfits Boxing appearance after watching Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley thriller: “A one-off definitely”

Luke Littler’s rise has already taken him far beyond the oche, and the darts world number one was back in the spotlight away from the board on Saturday night as he took in Daniel Dubois’ dramatic heavyweight win over Fabio Wardley in Manchester.

Littler was among the crowd at a sold-out Co-op Live, where Dubois survived two early knockdowns before turning the fight around and stopping Wardley in the eleventh round. For a player who has made no secret of his love for boxing, it was another chance to watch a major fight night up close during a rare evening away from darts.

The 19-year-old was clearly gripped by what unfolded, even if he was not fully convinced by the timing of the stoppage. Speaking on SunSport’s Split Decision show, Littler said: “I don’t think it should have been stopped.”

Wardley had taken heavy damage by the later rounds, but Littler admitted he was still struck by the toughness shown before the referee eventually stepped in. “But I was surprised Fabio lasted those last three or four rounds,” he added.

Dubois’ win came after a wild opening to the contest, with Wardley dropping him twice in the early stages before the Londoner worked his way back into the fight. By the final rounds, the momentum had shifted firmly in Dubois’ favour, with Wardley bloodied and under sustained pressure.

For Littler, it was the kind of heavyweight fight that will stay in the memory. “That’s one of the best heavyweight fights you will ever see. It was unbelievable,” he said.

There was one major moment he did not catch live, however. Dubois’ first knockdown came almost immediately, and Littler revealed he was distracted at exactly the wrong time while speaking with heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma. “The first knockdown, in the first round, happened so fast that I didn’t even see it, I was talking to Moses!” Littler said.

Littler’s presence at another major boxing event will only add to his profile outside darts. Since breaking through as one of Britain’s most recognisable young sports stars, he has become a regular face at major sporting nights, with boxing clearly high on his list of interests.

A serious move into the ring does not appear likely, though. Asked by broadcasters whether he would ever consider boxing himself, Littler made clear that any plan would face resistance at home. “I’d love to, but the missus does not want me to,” he said.

Still, Littler did not completely shut the door on a one-off appearance in influencer boxing. Asked about the possibility of fighting on a Misfits Boxing card, the darts star admitted the idea appeals. “I’d love to. A one-off definitely, on Misfits,” he added.

For now, Littler’s focus remains firmly on darts, where he continues to lead the sport’s new era from the very front. But his latest night out in Manchester once again showed how far his appeal now stretches beyond the dartboard.