BoxRec

Fabio Wardley confirms he will pursue Daniel Dubois rematch

Fabio Wardley, less than one week after being stopped in 11 rounds by Daniel Dubois, has activated the rematch clause.

The contest, which ended with Dubois as the new WBO heavyweight beltholder, was a brutal affair as Dubois, 23-3 (22 KOs), got up from knockdowns in rounds one and three to administer a sustained beating. Wardley's face was badly damaged and, though he kept firing back, plenty felt the bout should have been stopped before Howard Foster did just that in the penultimate stanza.

Talking to Sky Sports, Wardley said: "The boxing world knows my character and Saturday night proved that without a shred of doubt.

"It was a fight for the ages but I made some mistakes that I will rectify in the rematch. Congratulations to Daniel but I'm coming for you... and my belt."

Wardley was named WBO boss without winning a title fight. Oleksandr Usyk gave up the title and Wardley, who beat Joseph Parker last year to claim interim champion status, was upgraded.

The 31-year-old, whose record fell to 20-1-1 (19 KOs) with the defeat to Dubois, is waiting for his facial injuries to heal but did not need hospital treatment following the bout.

I hope the commission step in and give him a medical ban or something..

These clauses should be better designed.

In case of split decision/ close fight or controversy, only then rematch clause can be activated.

Fabio Wardley activates Daniel Dubois rematch clause as he seeks to win back WBO heavyweight world championship

Fabio Wardley reveals to Sky Sports that he will trigger the rematch clause in his contract with Daniel Dubois; Despite dropping Dubois twice in their WBO heavyweight world title fight, Wardley was stopped in the 11th round of an epic battle in Manchester on Saturday night

Fabio Wardley has activated a clause for an immediate rematch with Daniel Dubois.

Wardley floored Dubois twice in the early rounds of their fight in Manchester on Saturday night, but the Ipswich boxer lost his WBO heavyweight title in an 11th-round stoppage defeat.

Promoter allegedly confirmed to Sky Sports that a rematch clause had been put in place and Wardley has now enforced a return bout with Dubois which is expected to take place later this year.

Warren described Wardley vs Dubois as the "best heavyweight fight I have ever put on" and the defeated champion has vowed to deliver another epic battle with his British rival in the rematch.

The 31-year-old is even more motivated and focused to avenge that loss to Dubois, telling Sky Sports: "The boxing world knows my character, and Saturday night proved that without a shred of doubt.

"It was a fight for the ages, but I made some mistakes that I will rectify in the rematch. Congratulations to Daniel, but I'm coming for you… and my belt!"

Wardley did not require hospital treatment at the weekend and is recovering from the facial injuries he suffered in the bout.

He has some guts you have to give him that but doesn’t look like a wise move. Apart from the knockdowns and odd moment he was getting battered for most of the fight. I’m amazed he didn’t go to hospital after either, surely he needed stitches in his nose.

I wonder how far back they can push this. I don’t really want to see it this year…. Wardly surely needs a rest.

Also interestingly if fight 1 hasn’t severely fucked wardly up long term. I give him a really good chance if he learns his lesson.
Wardly needs to make it a 4 rounder and just throw leather and overwhelm Danial. If he does that it’s probably a 50-50… he might even be a slight favorite. Wardly mainly lost to pure fatigue I think.

I’d like Fabio to take 9 months off, then fight a few c grade opponents and get back in the swing… but, if you have a world title shot contract it’s a pretty hard thing to walk away from.

If the rematch goes like the first one I wonder how quick they stop it.


.

Not many boxers tend to NOT activate the rematch clause.

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.

Realistically, he's going to get beat to a pulp again unless he goes down quicker. His corner need to have the towel ready this time. However, there is a possibility he KO's Dubois early. Look what happened in the first round of the first fight and also in the first round of the Clarke rematch.

I think this probably means that we'll get Hrgovic Vs Itauma for the next shot at the belt.

Wardley’s just got to jump on him immediately and try to blast Dubois out early. Obviously dangerous tactics but has clearly proved he’ll get dismantled if it doesn’t end early, simple as that really.

Who we rooting for?

Surely he can’t do any worse? (Weirdly considering the knockdowns).

He just slung these awful overarm swings that seemed to be aimed above Dubois’s head…. Daniel only had to duck 2 inches and the punch would miss.

Even the first round knockdown caught DDD right on top of the skull.

Wardley obviously has the power to ko Dubois, he just needs to land. He’s also extremely tough and you can’t teach that.

I blame his trainer(s) - I mean surely he should’ve adjusted Fabio’s tactics. I doubt he said "keep throwing that cricket bowler overhand right from way outside and we’ll all be going home!"

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 09:13 Not many boxers tend to NOT activate the rematch clause.

Floyd Patterson against Liston being the classic example. He got blasted out in the first round and still took the rematch.

One of the issues with Ben Davison is, he genuinely believes his boxers can beat anyone. He'll be certain that Wardley is going to win the rematch. As a result, he puts their health at risk.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 09:13 Not many boxers tend to NOT activate the rematch clause.

I can only think of AJ vs DDD

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 11:41

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 09:13 Not many boxers tend to NOT activate the rematch clause.

I can only think of AJ vs DDD

Callum Simpson activating against Troy but just taking the piss.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:14

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 11:41

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 09:13 Not many boxers tend to NOT activate the rematch clause.

I can only think of AJ vs DDD

Callum Simpson activating against Troy but just taking the piss.

Good shout that

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 10:32 Who we rooting for?

Fab. because I don't want to see a repeat of first fight. a brief fire fight in round 1 and it's over.

Don't want to see a rematch.

Dubois needs to fight Kabayel or itauma next.

Was Dubois ever stunned by anything last weekend that didn’t scruff the top of his head?

Given what Dubois is prepared to walk through to land his own shots, I think it’s a massive gamble for Fabio to back himself in a short explosive fight, if that is indeed what he is thinking.

londonwar wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 14:10 Don't want to see a rematch.

Dubois needs to fight Kabayel or itauma next.

Dubois-Kabayel would be my choice. Kab deserves a shot at a belt and it would answer a lot of questions of both fighters. Itauma can wait a bit yet

He's gonna earn a shed load for the rematch.

His only chance is to go hell for leather from the first bell, otherwise he's outboxed beaten up and stopped

Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 10:18 Wardley’s just got to jump on him immediately and try to blast Dubois out early. Obviously dangerous tactics but has clearly proved he’ll get dismantled if it doesn’t end early, simple as that really.

Probably his best chance.
He employed that in his rematch with Clark to devastating effect.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 08:34 Fabio Wardley activates Daniel Dubois rematch clause as he seeks to win back WBO heavyweight world championship

Fabio Wardley reveals to Sky Sports that he will trigger the rematch clause in his contract with Daniel Dubois; Despite dropping Dubois twice in their WBO heavyweight world title fight, Wardley was stopped in the 11th round of an epic battle in Manchester on Saturday night

Fabio Wardley has activated a clause for an immediate rematch with Daniel Dubois.

Wardley floored Dubois twice in the early rounds of their fight in Manchester on Saturday night, but the Ipswich boxer lost his WBO heavyweight title in an 11th-round stoppage defeat.

Promoter allegedly confirmed to Sky Sports that a rematch clause had been put in place and Wardley has now enforced a return bout with Dubois which is expected to take place later this year.

Warren described Wardley vs Dubois as the "best heavyweight fight I have ever put on" and the defeated champion has vowed to deliver another epic battle with his British rival in the rematch.

The 31-year-old is even more motivated and focused to avenge that loss to Dubois, telling Sky Sports: "The boxing world knows my character, and Saturday night proved that without a shred of doubt.

"It was a fight for the ages, but I made some mistakes that I will rectify in the rematch. Congratulations to Daniel, but I'm coming for you… and my belt!"

Wardley did not require hospital treatment at the weekend and is recovering from the facial injuries he suffered in the bout.

Wardley has balls the size of a house, a damn big house at that, proper fighter

I felt Wardley blew himself out too much in the early rounds looking for the knockout. Advising him to try the same again sounds like madness to me - I'd give him a much better shot with the Calzaghe approach of staying busy behind varying power. He certainly needs to go downstairs and show Dub a few more angles.