Dubois Eyes February Return, Kabayel Unification Looms

Daniel Dubois wants to fight in February, and promoter Frank Warren is targeting Agit Kabayel for a heavyweight unification clash to make it happen. The plan emerged just days after Dubois retained his WBO title by stopping Fabio Wardley in two rounds at London's O2 Arena, a finish so emphatic it ended any real argument for an immediate trilogy fight.

"He'll fight in February, we are going to see what happens," Warren told talkSPORT.

Why Kabayel Is The Target

Agit Kabayel represents the kind of fight that actually moves Dubois's career forward rather than just defending turf. Warren is watching Kabayel's November 28 defense against Nelson Hysa in Germany, an event he says has sold somewhere around 43,000 to 44,000 tickets, before deciding whether to pursue the matchup seriously. "Let's see the outcome because that would be a fantastic unification scrap," Warren said.

Stylistically, Kabayel is nothing like Wardley. He works behind a high guard, digs to the body with relentless pressure, and tries to drown opponents in the second half of fights rather than hunt a quick knockout. Dubois carries enough one-punch power to hurt Kabayel on the way in, which means the opening exchanges could get ugly fast. But if Kabayel survives the early fire and starts ripping hooks to the ribs in rounds five through seven, Dubois will face the same stamina and composure questions that have dogged him in deep water before.

Filip Hrgovic is also lurking. The IBF titleholder was ringside for the Wardley stoppage and has made no secret of wanting a rematch with the one man who has beaten him as a pro. "He wanted a rematch since Daniel holds a win over him," Warren said. That history gives Hrgovic a built-in case, even if Kabayel appears to be Warren's preferred unification route for now.

Can Dubois Really Make February Work

The timeline is the real obstacle here, not the matchmaking. Kabayel fights Hysa on November 28, and a February date for Dubois leaves barely two months to finalize a unification bout, get it sanctioned, and build a full promotional campaign around it. If Hysa gives Kabayel a hard night, that turnaround gets even tighter. Nothing is signed. Warren is floating an option, not confirming a contract, and the fight only becomes realistic once Kabayel is safely through November 28.

Warren was blunt about what's driving Dubois at this stage of his career. "He wants big fights because he tells me he wants to make huge money," Warren said. After back-to-back destructions of Wardley, Dubois has as much leverage as he's ever had, and a fresh opponent with a second major belt on the line is exactly the kind of fight that cashes in on it.

Betting Angle

Dubois enters any 2026 heavyweight conversation as a live favorite against most of the division, and a fight with Kabayel would likely open closer to a coin flip than his recent bouts given Kabayel's unbeaten record and pressure style. The smart betting read here is patience. Nothing is official, the Hysa fight still has to play out clean, and a compressed training camp could affect how sportsbooks price Dubois if the bout does get rushed into February. Once Kabayel clears November 28 and the fight gets a real date, expect the line to firm up quickly given the unification stakes and ticket demand both camps are already generating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who might Daniel Dubois fight next?

Promoter Frank Warren is targeting a February return for Daniel Dubois, with Agit Kabayel floated as a potential heavyweight unification opponent pending Kabayel's November 28 defense against Nelson Hysa.

Did Daniel Dubois beat Fabio Wardley?

Yes, Daniel Dubois retained his WBO heavyweight title by stopping Fabio Wardley in two rounds at London's O2 Arena.

Is Filip Hrgovic still in the picture for Daniel Dubois?

Filip Hrgovic, the IBF heavyweight champion, was ringside for the Wardley fight and has expressed interest in a rematch with Dubois, who holds a win over him, though Agit Kabayel currently appears to be the preferred unification target.