Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley Set for Explosive Heavyweight Title Rematch

Posted : 17 October 2026

British heavyweight rivals Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley will meet again on Saturday at London's O2 Arena, five months after producing a thrilling contest that ended with Dubois claiming victory in the 11th round.

Dubois, 29, enters the rematch as WBO heavyweight champion and will make the first defence of his title. The London-born boxer recovered from being knocked down twice during their May encounter in Manchester before turning the fight around and stopping Wardley in the 11th round.

For Wardley, the rematch offers an immediate opportunity to avenge the first defeat of his professional career and reclaim the world championship. The 31-year-old from Ipswich quickly activated his contractual rematch clause after losing the title, determined to reverse the outcome of a fight in which he initially appeared capable of securing victory.

Their first meeting was marked by dramatic momentum swings, heavy exchanges and remarkable resilience from both fighters. Wardley made an explosive start, knocking Dubois down early in the opening round and sending him to the canvas again in the third. However, Dubois recovered, gradually increased the pressure and eventually forced the referee to stop the contest as Wardley struggled with significant facial injuries.

Both fighters possess considerable knockout power, making another action-packed encounter a strong possibility. Between them, Dubois and Wardley have recorded 41 knockouts in 43 combined professional victories, underlining the threat each poses when the fight gets underway.

Dubois will look to use his experience at the highest level to retain his championship, having faced several leading heavyweights during his career. Wardley, meanwhile, will draw confidence from the success he enjoyed during the early stages of their first meeting, while seeking to correct the mistakes that ultimately cost him the title.

The stakes are significant for both men. A second victory would strengthen Dubois' position among the division's leading contenders, while a Wardley win would restore his status as a world champion and avenge the only loss on his professional record.

With the WBO heavyweight title on the line, Saturday's contest promises another major chapter in one of British boxing's most compelling recent rivalries.

Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley Set for Explosive Heavyweight Title Rematch

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