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Dubois vs Wardley II: Everything to Know About the Heavyweight Rematch
Amir Azimi
Daily News

Dubois vs Wardley II: Everything to Know About the Heavyweight Rematch

Dubois vs Wardley II Preview

The WBO heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois will defend his title against Fabio Wardley in a rematch at London’s O2 Arena this Saturday. The two British heavyweights clashed five months ago in Manchester, producing one of the most intense fights of the year.

Dubois, 29, overcame two knockdowns before stopping Wardley in the 11th round, becoming a two-time world champion. Wardley, 31, suffered his first professional loss but quickly activated a rematch clause. The big question: can Dubois repeat his win, or will Wardley finish what he started?

How to Watch and Listen to the Fight

  • Live text commentary: Starts 21:00 BST on Saturday, October 17 via the BBC Sport website and app.
  • Radio: Coverage begins at 21:00 on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds; main event on BBC Radio 5 Live at 22:00.
  • Presenters and commentators: Stacey Copeland hosts, with Ronald McIntosh leading commentary, supported by Steve Bunce and ex-super-middleweight champ Richie Woodhall.
  • Watch-along: Available on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport site and app, and BBC YouTube & TikTok channels just before the fight starts.
  • Live reaction and analysis: Provided by broadcaster Nick Peet, British heavyweight champ Richard Riakporhe, and BBC Sounds Punch Perfect hosts Emily Smith and Liam Gough.

Ringwalk Time

The fighters are expected to enter the ring after 22:30 BST, though exact timings may change.

Undercard and Order of Bouts

  • Main card:
  • Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley - WBO heavyweight title
  • Louie O Doherty vs Michael Gomez Jr - British and Commonwealth lightweight title
  • Bakhodir Jalolov vs Solomon Dacres - heavyweight
  • Tony Curtis vs Kerim Agius - super-flyweight
  • Leighton Birchall vs Luis Vara Carrillo - featherweight
  • Fawas Aborode vs Rashid Omar - lightweight
  • Manny Safari vs Jake Pollard - featherweight
  • Adam Olaniyan vs TBA - heavyweight
  • Aaron Noriega vs TBA - super-featherweight
  • Zayn Ahmed vs Kasey Bradnum - super-featherweight
  • Issiah Hamilton-Allen vs Jensen Irving - middleweight

Fight Week Schedule (BST)

  • Wednesday: Open workouts at 17:00
  • Thursday: News conference at 12:30
  • Friday: Weigh-in at 18:00

Records and Comparison

The physical differences between Dubois and Wardley are minimal, and both pack serious power. Dubois has 23 wins in 26 fights, 22 by knockout. Wardley stands at 20 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, with 19 knockouts. Together, 41 of their 43 combined victories have ended inside the distance.

Dubois edges Wardley in experience against top-level opponents, having fought twice against Oleksandr Usyk, as well as Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, and Joe Joyce. Wardley took an unconventional path, starting in unlicensed bouts and working in recruitment before rising through notable stoppage wins over Justis Huni and former world champ Joseph Parker.

What Titles Are at Stake?

The WBO heavyweight title held by Dubois is on the line in this 12-round battle. This will be Dubois’ first defense of his second world title reign. He previously held the IBF heavyweight belt before losing it to Usyk in July 2025. Wardley was elevated to WBO champion from interim status but lost that belt to Dubois in their initial fight.

Currently, the four major heavyweight titles are split among four fighters: Dubois (WBO), Agit Kabayel (WBC), Filip Hrgovic (IBF), and Murat Gassiev (WBA).

Recap of Their First Fight

Their May encounter at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena had knockdowns, momentum swings, fierce exchanges, and an unforgettable comeback. Wardley started strong, knocking Dubois down twice, but Dubois rallied to stop Wardley in the 11th round.

Wardley fought with a badly damaged nose and a swollen shut eye, enduring two medical checks ringside. By round 10, he was visibly struggling, with many calling for the fight to be stopped sooner. Carl Frampton called Wardley "the bravest man I’ve ever seen," though he and Darren Barker felt the referee or corner should have intervened earlier.

Stats from the fight back up the punishment Wardley took: Dubois landed 179 punches to Wardley’s 97, including 87 power shots versus Wardley’s 40. Both fighters enhanced their reputations—Wardley for his grit and Dubois for proving his toughness.

Possible Future Fights for the Winner

The heavyweight division could shift drastically by year-end. Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will finally face off in December at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with a WBA super heavyweight title reportedly involved, stirring controversy since Gassiev still holds the WBA title and his team objects to crowning another champion.

The winner of Dubois vs Wardley might find multiple lucrative options in 2027. For Dubois, winning again would cement his dominance over Wardley and strengthen his claim among Britain's top heavyweights, potentially targeting unification bouts against Kabayel or Hrgovic. Depending on the WBA situation, a fight with the Fury-Joshua victor could be huge.

If Wardley wins, he regains his title, avenges his only loss, and pushes into unification talks. A loss would force him to rebuild before another title shot. Should Dubois lose, the rivalry would be even at 1-1, and a trilogy fight would likely be demanded.

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