Explore the converted farm gym where Don Charles rebuilt Daniel Dubois’s approach ahead of his May 9, 2026 title challenge against Fabio Wardley
The converted barn known as Farm Gym sits in a quiet pocket of Hertfordshire, yet it has become a loud centre of ambition for heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois. For 16 weeks he worked there under coach Don Charles in the run-up to his world title challenge against Fabio Wardley on May 9, 2026.
The facility is unpretentious — a former tractor store reshaped into a training space — but every corner speaks to purpose: a sand pit for lower-body work, heavy bags, a ring with theatrical lights and a poster that declares Dynamite Daniel Dubois a champion.
The barn turned high-performance gym
Don built much of the environment himself. What started as repeated requests to a farmer ended in a rustic yet functional training hub where smell and sound mix: incense and leather mingle with the scent of nearby stables and birdsong beyond the windows.
Around the room, practical fixtures meet symbolism — a Rocky poster at the sand pit’s end, bags dangling from beams and a large wall banner celebrating Dubois’s achievements. This space represents more than equipment; it is the physical expression of a long-term coaching relationship, the culmination of Don’s 25 years in the sport and the setting where Dubois returned after a short split following a loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
Training methods: rhythm, balance and raw power
Footwork, stance and fundamentals
Sessions at Farm Gym are built around fundamentals. During a pad session I was corrected repeatedly on simple mechanics: guard position, weight distribution and rotation. Don and his performance lead, Mohammed Ali — who serves as head of performance — focused on a 12-4 stance for a right-handed fighter, emphasising light, rhythmic movement and correct weight placement. These basics are drilled until they become instinctive; the repetition may look understated, but it underpins the explosive moments that matter in the ring.
Pad work, power and conditioning
Pad drills are an audition for intent as much as technique. The mitt work here alternates short bursts of precision with raw impact: starting with jabs, moving to combinations and finishing with heavy right hands. Fighters work in progressive rounds — from two strikes up to longer bursts — to condition punch output and endurance. Dubois’s 10oz gloves, used in mitt drills, feel deceptively heavy once wrapped: the combination of dense hand wraps and smaller gloves demands solid mechanics and showcases the power that has defined his career.
Context: where this camp fits in Dubois’s trajectory
This training block was not built in isolation. Dubois rose through the ranks with domestic titles and international belts, and he was elevated to an IBF world champion status after Usyk vacated the belt in 2026. His most celebrated night to date came at Wembley in September 2026, where he knocked out Anthony Joshua in front of a crowd reported at 96,000. Now the spotlight shifts to Manchester’s Co-op Live, a contrasting stage for May 9, 2026, where roughly 23,500 spectators are expected. Opponent Fabio Wardley arrives with a heavy-hitting record and his own story of elevation to the WBO title in 2026, meaning this is very much a Battle of Britain on paper and a consequential night for the division.
People, psychology and the build-up
Don’s relationship with Dubois is central. After a four-month separation following the Usyk defeat, the reunion in January had little fanfare but strong body language: Don welcomed him back and emphasised stability and incremental progress. His approach blends tough repetition with attention to detail; when asked about mental preparation, Don kept specific strategies close to the vest, smiling that some methods are sacrosanct. Around the ring, the coaching team’s dynamic is evident — a mixture of patience, hard coaching and clear roles, with Mohammed Ali offering real-time corrections during live work.
What fight night means
For Dubois, this camp is a recalibration — part technical reset and part confidence-building — before a title opportunity against a dangerous champion. The gym’s view of Wembley has become an icon of aspiration for both coach and boxer: a daily reminder of what has been achieved and what is still possible. Whether this preparation translates into a new chapter — regaining world honours or testing his limits against Wardley’s power — will be decided in Manchester. Until then, the barn keeps producing the same output: measured drills, repeated fundamentals and the steady insistence that form precedes fortune.
