Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley II | DAZN - 17 October 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Daniel Dubois 'ready to go', Fabio Wardley warned

Daniel Dubois has rested and is eager to return to training camp. The rest, following his gruelling victory over Fabio Wardley, lasted around a fortnight.

Mohammed Ali, Dubois’ ‘Head of Performance Analysis’, insists, in fact, that Dubois wouldn’t have needed those 14 nights of rest, he would only have required one.

"When he beats someone up, he is ready for the next day. I don't think he needs a full recovery,” Ali told TalkSPORT.

The newly minted WBO heavyweight beltholder rebounded from a July 2025 loss to Oleksandr Usyk to twice get off the floor and administer a brutal beating to the gutsy Wardley, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), on May 9.

It was his first victory since a swashbuckling three-fight series saw him stop Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and, in September 2024, Anthony Joshua.

"Daniel is ready to go back in to training now,” Ali said.

"He was ready after Anthony Joshua, Jarrell Miller and, yeah, he is ready again.”

That might be bad news for Wardley, who ended the fight both badly fatigued and nursing an array of facial injuries. Even so, he quickly triggered his right to a rematch with Dubois, 23-3 (22 KOs), but there remains doubt if it will actually go ahead.

"I think the next event will be even better, but I think Fabio is taking a massive risk,” said Ali.

"I think the rematch was something that triggered in his mind, I feel like it was done instinctively rather than thought through."

[londonwar]

Don't like all these rematches.

[tiny_acres]

Don't like all these rematches.

I don't think too many people do like all of these mandatory rematches.
It appears that is what boxing has become though. So for now we are stuck seeing them.

[joshj909]

Don't like all these rematches.

I don't think too many people do like all of these mandatory rematches.
It appears that is what boxing has become though. So for now we are stuck seeing them.

I think a lot of it is coming from the orgs being bad with enforcing mandatories and also giving them bad mandatories. By enforcing more mandatories then they can't have time for the rematches or they'll lose their belt and if they forced better mandatories then they won't be forced to include it in contacts. I know this wasn't s mandatory but if the winner was forced to defend against someone else then they'd have to drop the belt for this rematch which defeats the purpose and would probably scrap the rematch.

[coneye]

Wardley has the equalizer no doubt but he dont have the skills . Anc hes not gonna learn them in this shorg amojnt of time and if he could he needs a coach who could teach them too him . So really all in all unless Dd gets ovef confident and leaves himself open it looks like dejavu

[Ruthless-RKO]

Daniel Dubois admits surprise after Fabio Wardley triggers immediate rematch clause

Daniel Dubois is set to defend his WBO heavyweight world title against Fabio Wardley after the Ipswich man activated his contractual rematch clause.

The two British punchers starred in one of the most thrilling and brutal heavyweight affairs in recent memory, with Dubois surviving two early knockdowns to take control and beat Wardley to a referee stoppage in the eleventh round.

Speaking to Boxing King Media, Dubois first reflected on the win.

“I just thought, ‘yeah, I’ve proved you all wrong again.’ Just the victory for me, my dad, my team and the whole circle, it was just a [satisfying] victory for them. I know all the hard work they put in behind the scenes.”

Given the damage Wardley sustained as the fight went on, many felt he might take time away from the sport to recover or opt for a steadier route back towards title contention. Ultimately, however, the opportunity to reclaim the belt he gained after beating Joseph Parker last year proved too good to turn down.

When asked whether he was surprised Wardley chose to exercise the clause, Dubois admitted there was a degree of uncertainty over the challenger’s intentions.

“A little bit [surprised]. We’ll see, it could be a tactical move, you never know … I’m ready for whatever’s next.”

Promoter Frank~Warren says fans will see the rematch in 2026 and believes it is now big enough to fill a stadium. Wherever it lands, there is little doubt that the two men deserve as many eyes on their rivalry as possible given what was left in the ring last time around.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Daniel Dubois won't wait around too long for Fabio Wardley rematch

Daniel Dubois, who claimed the WBO heavyweight title from Fabio Wardley last month, will not wait around too long for the rematch. Less than one week after Dubois halted Wardley in 11 violent rounds, the vanquished former beltholder triggered his contracted right for a rematch.

Wardley, however, took some serious punishment along the way and will need time to recover.

There are timelines at play, however. The 31-year-old had to quickly confirm he wanted the return. Now there is a deadline in place for Wardley, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), to formally agree a date. Should his recovery take too long, however, Dubois is happy to move on.

“I’m not going to wait on no one,” the 28-year-old told TalkSPORT. "I’m going to get busy with that belt and defend that belt. I can’t wait to start improving and maximising what I’ve been working on since I was a little kid.”

If the rematch is next for Dubois, 23-3 (22 KOs), he expects to win more emphatically.

“I expect to be a lot better, an improved version of myself now that I’m champion. It’s time to go and clean up this division again. I’m on my journey to getting all the belts and securing my legacy.

“I would maybe have [preferred to fight] someone else, travel with that belt. But if we’ve got to do it again, we’ll do it again.”

Fans will welcome a rerun. The first one, inside Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, was a genuine thriller as Dubois survived two early knockdowns to pummel the resistance from Wardley.

“It’s a fight, man,” he said when asked about his rickety start. “You get in the shower you’re going to get wet. I had to roll with the punches. It was a great fight, though, I enjoyed it.

"When you’re in a fight you can feel it [when your opponent is starting to fade]. But shout out to him, he’s a great gladiator and a great warrior. He put on a spectacular fight – it takes two to tango.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dubois Wants Wardley Rematch Sooner Rather Than Later

Almost a month has passed since Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley went to war.

Dubois picked himself up from two early knockdowns May 9 to stop Wardley in the 11th round of a violent WBO heavyweight title fight at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England. Given the brutal nature of the fight, it was slightly surprising when Wardley quickly triggered a contractual clause entitling him to an immediate rematch.

Just how immediate remains to be seen.

Although he never stopped trying to win, Wardley eventually absorbed an incredible amount of punishment before being stopped. Anybody who witnessed the 31-year-old former champion’s remarkable display of bravery and toughness won’t begrudge him taking every possible moment to recover mentally and physically.

London’s Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs) understands that he is contractually obliged to fight Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KOs) again and has no problem with accommodating the former champion. The two-time heavyweight titleholder would just like to do it sooner rather than later.

“Well, that’s what they’re talking about, but I’m not going to wait on no one,” Dubois, The Ring’s No. 1 heavyweight contender, said when asked about a rematch during an appearance on talkSPORT. “I’m going to get busy with that belt, defend that belt, and I can’t wait to start improving, getting out there, and just maximizing what we’ve done and what we’ve worked on since I was a little kid, being taken to the gym by my dad, and now we’re here. It’s been a good journey.”

Dubois reiterated that his ultimate aim is to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. To do that, he would need to dethrone Oleksandr Usyk, his old nemesis and The Ring, IBF, WBA and WBC champion.

Ukraine’s Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round of Dubois’ bid to become a unified champ in August 2023. He regrouped well and won the IBF belt when he knocked out former unified champ Anthony Joshua in the fifth round of their bout in September 2024.

Dubois got back in the ring with Usyk less than two years after their first fight, but he was knocked out in the fifth round of their rematch July 19 at Wembley Stadium in London, where he also knocked out Joshua.

Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) admits that he is nearing the end of his outstanding career. He did say, though, that he would like one of his final fights to be against the winner of the fight between Wardley and Dubois.

How much interest a third Usyk-Dubois bout would generate remains to be seen. The WBC made it more unlikely Monday by announcing that it will order Usyk to defend his WBC belt against Germany’s Agit Kabayel next.

Dubois wouldn’t shy away from a third fight with Usyk and feels like he is now in a much better place to be successful.

“Whoever it is, I’ve got to take care of him,” Dubois said. “I think we’ll just cover up some of the holes I had in my game and my team last time, so I feel like it’s just going to be a whole new complete fighter and I;m just going to be out to get him. That’s it – out to get him. Get the belts as well.”

[gilgamesh]

I personally kinda hope the rematch doesn't happen. Wardley could possibly win a rematch if he works on his skills, and makes some big leaps in technique, but he won't be able to do that in a few short months. It'd take years for him to make up the gap that we saw in the 1st fight.

Only way he wins the rematch you feel is if he lands a well timed KO punch, and just catches Dubois right on the button. Aside from that though, there's no reason to expect anything different from what we saw before. It was certainly entertaining enough to want to see it again, but it surely wouldn't do Wardley any good to take another beating like that.

[JC]

I personally kinda hope the rematch doesn't happen. Wardley could possibly win a rematch if he works on his skills, and makes some big leaps in technique, but he won't be able to do that in a few short months. It'd take years for him to make up the gap that we saw in the 1st fight.

Only way he wins the rematch you feel is if he lands a well timed KO punch, and just catches Dubois right on the button. Aside from that though, there's no reason to expect anything different from what we saw before. It was certainly entertaining enough to want to see it again, but it surely wouldn't do Wardley any good to take another beating like that.

I think he might go for broke to try and get Dubois out early. Seems like his best hope.

[Oiky]

Where Wardley's concerned I agree with Froch when he said putting Dubois down so early was his undoing, as it gave him too much confidence and he threw any sort of tactic right out of the window

I think in the rematch he's better off trying to ride it out a bit, not in a silly fashion just be conservative, do what you gotta do to survive the rounds, even if that look's negative and boring, and then start the onslaught when dubois starts to tire

I actually thought there was times in that fight where a right hand from Wardley could do serious damage as Dubois looked knackered, problem was, so was Wardley. Like mentioned, he cant close that skill gap, so if I was Wardley I'd just say f**k it and try and soak it up til DDD slows and then go for it, I'd work on conditioning, movement, and I certainly just wouldln't throw the right hand again

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fabio Wardley back in training, Daniel Dubois rematch happens 'when Fabio is ready'

Fabio Wardley’s manager Michael Ofo has given an update on his fighter’s condition and upcoming rematch with Daniel Dubois.

The two heavyweights treated fans to a thriller in May, knocking lumps out of each other from the first bell, with Wardley in particular showing freakish toughness throughout. Wardley, having had Dubois down twice early on was then bloodied and bruised from Dubois attacks, and was eventually saved by the referee after 11 hellacious rounds.

Wardley handed over his WBO heavyweight title to Dubois and, in the days following the bout, triggered his right to a return.


"No news [on when the rematch will be], but we've activated the rematch,” Ofo told Boxing Scene. “I've spoken to Fabio. Fabio's excited to be in such a fight again, knows the mistakes that he made, and wants to get it back in blood.

"Again, I think it's down to when Fabio wants to take it. He's resting at the moment. We have activated the rematch, so it will happen in due time, and I can guarantee that Fabio will be 100 per cent when that fight does happen."

Reports suggested there was a deadline in place for when the rematch must take place.

"Yeah, and it's in favour of Fabio. So there's no rush,” said Ofo. “I've heard people say it's going to happen within three months. It's not going to happen within three months. It happens when Fabio's ready."

The first contest, which will surely win Fight of The Year, was a tough watch at times due to the punishment that Wardley was taking and the injuries to his face. Wardley seemed to stumble around at times with blood spewing profusely from large gashes above Wardley’s eyes and to his nose.

However, Ofo explained that the injuries looked worse than they were.

"He came out of the ring. Numerous doctors saw him backstage. He wasn't concussed. There was nothing broken,” Ofo said. “No nose broken, no fractures. It was purely just the cosmetics. So it's just blood, which his nose always goes. So yeah, he's resting up, healing, and he's actually been doing a little bit of training. So Fabio's fine."

Wardley’s training team of Ben Davison and Rob Hodgins were criticised for allowing Wardley to fight for as long as he did. So, will they be in the corner for the rematch?

"That decision's down to Fabio, but I think Fabio's very happy with the team," said Ofo. "Fabio was always responding. So as much as I got some of the criticism, I didn't get it, because if you know and you've watched Fabio's fights before, he's always responding.

"It's a heavyweight world title fight. It's one of the best fights we've ever seen. So when I see people complain, I just think, just weirdos. You want somebody to give it 100 per cent. And I think as long as the fighter's responding and he's going back to the corner and the team are able to assess him and see where he's at, then yeah, I respect their judgment."

Wardley's early success in the first encounter might actually have worked against him, says Ofo.

"I think where he got him so early, I think that the mindset just shifted a little bit, and he knows the mistakes that he made, and those are mistakes that he can correct,” he said. "Daniel Dubois is a very tough, tough fight, but this is the kind of fight that Fabio asks for. Fabio asks for a tough fight. Fabio wants to be in these kind of wars where he's going to win some, and potentially he's going to lose some. Unfortunately, he lost, but let's see what happens in the next one.”

Wardley’s record in rematches currently stands at 1-0. Following another bloody war, a 2024 draw with Frazer Clarke, Wardley won the sequel in the opening round.

"Listen, I'm pretty certain that he's going to get [the WBO title] back. Look at when he fought Frazer Clarke the second time,” Ofo said. "Totally destroyed him. So I think that it's going to be a devastating performance from Fabio when they meet again. But I'm going to say that because I'm always going to back Fabio Wardley. I'm in the Fabio Wardley business."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Looks like it will be October

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dubois-Wardley world title rematch likely for October

Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley will meet in their world heavyweight title rematch this October with an official announcement on date and location expected in the coming days.

Dubois beat Wardley for his WBO title on May 9 at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena in one of the most brutal fights of 2026 so far.

Wardley, who was defending his belt for the first time, decided to activate the rematch clause in his initial fight contract and the pair will now meet again this fall.

The Ring understands that October 17 is the working date, with Co-op Live currently expected to host the pair once again.

But promoter Frank~Warren says there is still work to be done on date and location before an official announcement next week.

“It will be in October,” he said during a media roundtable on Wednesday. “We've just got to sort out the venue. We're working on the venue at the moment. We're looking at a couple of venues at the moment.

“I believe we'll be in a position within the next week or so to announce it and that's going to be a cracker of a fight again. What a good fight that was first time around.”

Wardley appeared to be on his way to a victory after knocking Dubois down twice inside the first three rounds, but the challenger rallied and turned the fight on his head. Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs), the former IBF heavyweight champion, regained a foothold in the fight and eventually won via 11th-round stoppage.

However, many observers believed that Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KOs), who suffered horrific damage around his nose and right eye, should have been withdrawn far earlier given the sustained nature of the beating.

Even so, the Ipswich puncher did not hesitate to jump straight back into the rematch, which is now set to take place just six months after their initial encounter.

[Eolaithe]

Fabio Wardley often boasted about only needing to be “great” for one second in a fight to win, even if he was losing most of the rounds.

But now he's facing two big problems: he has never been a good skilled boxer, and his once iron chin has been cracked, arguably smashed to pieces.

This has happened repeatedly throughout the course of history, with Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce being the most recent notable examples of durable fighters that suddenly lost their punch resistance (as soon as they suffered punishing defeats).

Sugar Ray Leonard (caused by inactivity) and the likes of Roy Jones Jr, Terry Norris, Meldrick Taylor, Fernando Vargas and Juan Manuel López being other examples of fighters that had their chins cracked during tough bouts.

There might even be a third problem for Wardley to overcome, if his ordeal against Dubois compels him to adopt a negative safety-first gun-shy approach in all his future bouts.

If the brutal beating that Fabio Wardley received in the Daniel Dubois fight has completely decimated his punch resistance and prevents him from being aggressive, then I think he’ll become easy work for most world-rated heavyweights… perhaps becoming the modern-day equivalent to the likes of Michael Grant and Andrew Golota.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Specific venue and October date targeted for Daniel Dubois-Fabio Wardley rematch

The contracted rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley will take place in October, promoter allegedly confirmed on Thursday. It has since been reported that October 17 and the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester are the specific date and venue being targeted.

Dubois, 23-3 (22 KOs), scored a dramatic, thrilling, and brutal 11th-round victory over Wardley in the same arena in May, taking the WBO heavyweight title in the process.

It was so brutal, in fact, that several observers wondered if Wardley, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), would be in position to go through with the sequel this year.

"I haven't spoke to him for a few weeks," Warren said when asked how Wardley was recuperating. "Look, he called [the rematch] on. It was up to him to call on the rematch and his team called it on and it's on.

"That's it. They called it on. So they must fancy it. Otherwise, why would they call the rematch on?

"And Daniel was ready to go. I mean, he was up here a couple of days ago and he looks as fit as a butcher's dog."

Dubois, 28, rebounded from a second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, in July 2025, to hand Wardley the first defeat of his career. The former IBF beltholder had to twice get up from the canvas to do so as he steadily broke down the resistance of Wardley.

Wardley, 31, and his team have promised they can make the adjustments to gain revenge. Dubois, however, is also predicting victory. "I expect to be a lot better, an improved version of myself now I'm champion," he said.

"That's going to be a cracker of a fight again," Warren said of the return. "What a good fight that was first time round."

[SeanBrennan]

It’s a fantastic fight isn’t it. Fair play to Wardley for invoking the rematch he’s got about four pairs of goolies.

[gregregegg]

October feels too soon for this.

[johnmanchester]

Terrible idea this

He had nothing for him in the first fight and this will be the same

[londonwar]

Stupid rematch. Don't want it. Don't need it.

[dookus]

"adjustments"? What like Wardley learning to throw a second punch besides the sweeping right hand? I can only hope the corner and ref are a tad less brave this time round

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former advisor to Daniel Dubois explains recent split: 'His dad calls all the shots'

Sam Jones, the former advisor to Daniel Dubois, has explained why he and the WBO heavyweight beltholder recently parted company.

Jones, a licensed matchmaker with the British Boxing Board of Control, started working with Dubois earlier this year and victory over Fabio Wardley to win the championship soon followed.

However, with the rematch set to be announced for October, Jones, who does not hold a manager's licence, walked away from the 23-3 (22 KOs) heavyweight because he didn’t feel “boss of the situation.”

"I had a good year with Dan, I just chose not to carry on,” Jones told TalkSport.

"But Daniel Dubois doesn't make decisions for Daniel Dubois. He's a great kid and a fantastic fighter.

"I have just taken it upon myself to remove myself from the situation. I wasn't the boss of that situation, I'm not kind of used to being in that situation.”

Jones leaving is far from the first reshuffle in Dubois’ team with several changes made to training staff during his nine years in the professional code. When Jones joined, a decision had been made for Dubois to leave trainer Don Charles, only for Charles to return ahead of the Wardley challenge.

Other coaches to have worked with Dubois include Martin Bowers, Shane McGuigan, Tony Sims, and Mark Tibbs.

It has long been suggested that Dubois’ father, Stan, has been responsible for the changes.

"His father asked me to be a part of the team, it was successful as he won the world title,” Jones said.

"I didn't recognise the importance of Don Charles, he's a vital part of the team.

"Stan [his father] is there regardless. His dad makes all the decisions and calls all the shots.

"But from my observation, Don Charles is very important with how he delivers the instructions to Daniel."

[1529048]

Not sure of the outcome but will be a different style from Wardley. I see him keeping away, but still look for that big shot.

I don't think he will be too gung ho this time. Maybe stick and move.

Probably, but Dubois is the better boxer so it won't work. Wardley should just go all out for the ko from round 1, it's his only chance.

This. Dubois was too fast and once he got the rhythm - basically disarmed Wardley's right with counter jab, and did it basically all night. Aside of few wild swings that landed Wardley was unable to hit, not surprisingly since it basically tried the same wide right swing again and again. Dunno, unless he suddenly learns quality jab somehow it just cannot end any different. So going nuclear is the only option.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Hard to see anything but a mauling for wardley.

Hope he is earning well, as its likely the end of his career.

[londonwar]

Rematches like this just erode the division.