Dubois vs Wardley 2 Set for October 16 in London

Daniel Dubois defends his WBO heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley in a rematch set for October 16 in London, five months after their first meeting ended in an 11th-round stoppage win for Dubois.

That first fight in May was a genuine Fight of the Year contender. A knockdown landed inside the opening 10 seconds, and the momentum swung back and forth from there before Dubois wore Wardley down over the championship rounds and the referee stepped in during round 11. Wardley held the WBO belt going into that fight and lost it in the process. Now, rather than take an extended break to recover, Wardley is going straight back in with Dubois for the title.

Wardley has said he expects this rematch to end early, suggesting both heavyweights are capable of finishing the fight before it reaches the late rounds.

What's At Stake for Dubois' WBO Title

Daniel Dubois puts his WBO heavyweight title on the line against Fabio Wardley in a fight that carries real stylistic intrigue given how violent and competitive the first encounter was. Wardley took heavy punishment across that fight before the stoppage, and how his chin and engine respond to a second dose of that kind of pressure is the central question of the rematch. Dubois, for his part, showed he can take a knockdown early and still finish the job late, which speaks to both his power and his recovery under fire.

Betting Angle

Booking this rematch just five months after a brutal 11-round war is notable in itself. Quick turnarounds after punishing fights can cut either way, sometimes a fighter is sharper and more prepared, sometimes the accumulated damage shows up sooner than expected. Given that Dubois won clearly via late stoppage last time, expect him to open as the favorite again, but the market should stay mindful of Wardley's own stated belief that this fight ends early. Fans who back the under on rounds, or lean toward a finish rather than a decision, have real justification given how the first fight actually played out.

Quick Hits From Fight Week

The Dubois-Wardley rematch headlines a stacked October 16-17 boxing slate that also includes Sebastian Fundora defending his WBC super welterweight title against mandatory challenger Florian Hadribeaj in Las Vegas, with Brandon Figueroa defending his WBA featherweight title against Tomoki Kameda in the chief support slot. The Dubois-Wardley card in London also features Louie O'Doherty against Michael Gomez for the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch?

Daniel Dubois defends his WBO heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley in a rematch scheduled for October 16, 2026, in London, England.

Who won the first Dubois vs Wardley fight?

Daniel Dubois won the first fight between the two heavyweights by stoppage in the 11th round in May 2026, taking the WBO heavyweight title from Fabio Wardley in a fight widely praised as a Fight of the Year contender.

What else is on the Dubois vs Wardley 2 card?

The London card includes Louie O'Doherty against Michael Gomez for the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles as chief support to the Dubois-Wardley rematch.