Daniel Dubois will defend his WBO heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley in a rematch at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, just five months after their dramatic first encounter in Manchester. The fight promises another intense showdown after Dubois recovered from two knockdowns to stop Wardley in the 11th round and claim the belt.
Their first meeting at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena delivered heavy exchanges, knockdowns, and momentum swings. Wardley started strong, flooring Dubois twice, but Dubois rallied to secure the stoppage. The contest grew increasingly uncomfortable as Wardley fought on with a badly damaged nose and one eye swollen shut, prompting calls from former champions Carl Frampton and Darren Barker for the fight to have been stopped earlier. Dubois landed 179 punches compared to Wardley’s 97, including 87 power shots to Wardley’s 40.
Wardley, 31, suffered the first defeat of his professional career but quickly activated his rematch clause. Dubois, 29, is looking to consolidate his position as a two-time world champion. His record stands at 23 wins from 26 bouts, including 22 knockouts. Wardley has 20 wins, one defeat, and one draw, with 19 knockouts. Together, they have finished 41 of their 43 victories inside the distance.
Experience at the elite level gives Dubois an edge. He has twice faced Oleksandr Usyk and shared the ring with Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, and Joe Joyce. Wardley’s path has been unconventional, coming up through the unlicensed white-collar scene and working in recruitment at 19. His rise accelerated with stoppage wins over Justis Huni and former world champion Joseph Parker before meeting Dubois.
The WBO heavyweight title is on the line over 12 three-minute rounds. This will be Dubois’ first defence of his second reign as world champion after previously holding the IBF belt before losing to Usyk in July 2025. Wardley held the WBO title after being elevated from interim champion but lost it to Dubois in their first fight. The WBO belt is one of four major heavyweight titles currently held by four different fighters: Dubois (WBO), Agit Kabayel (WBC), Filip Hrgovic (IBF), and Murat Gassiev (WBA).
The undercard features Louie O’Doherty defending the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles against Michael Gomez Jr, heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov facing Solomon Dacres, super-flyweight Tony Curtis against Kerim Agius, and featherweight Leighton Birchall against Luis Vara Carrillo. Preliminary bouts include lightweight Fawas Aborode versus Rashid Omar and featherweight Manny Safari versus Jake Pollard.
Fight week events include open workouts on Wednesday at 17:00 BST, a news conference on Thursday at 12:30, and the weigh-in on Friday at 18:00.
Live coverage will begin at 21:00 BST on Saturday, 17 October, with text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Radio commentary starts simultaneously on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, with BBC Radio 5 Live joining for the main event at 22:00. Stacey Copeland will present, alongside lead commentator Ronald McIntosh, with Steve Bunce and former super-middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall providing co-commentary.
BBC Sport also offers a live watch-along via iPlayer, the website, app, and YouTube and TikTok channels. Broadcaster Nick Peet, British heavyweight champion Richard Riakporhe, and BBC Sounds’ Punch Perfect hosts Emily Smith and Liam Gough will provide real-time analysis and reaction.
The official time for the ringwalks is yet to be confirmed but is expected after 22:30 BST.
At the same time, the heavyweight division is preparing for another major event: Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in December, finally settling a long-discussed British rivalry. Their bout is reportedly for the WBA ‘super’ heavyweight title, though further details remain unconfirmed.
According to Yahoo Sports.
