Dubois to defend WBO heavyweight title against Wardley in London rematch

Daniel Dubois is scheduled to defend his WBO heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday. BBC Sport and ESPN both report the rematch.

Dubois won the title by beating Wardley in their first fight in May. He was knocked down twice, then stopped Wardley in the 11th round. It was the first defeat of Wardley's professional career. Saturday's bout is Dubois's first defence of the title. The two boxers have 43 professional wins between them, 41 by knockout or stoppage.

According to BBC Sport, the first fight took place in Manchester. Wardley activated a rematch clause immediately afterwards. The BBC reports that Dubois is 29 and that Wardley, from Ipswich, is 31.

According to ESPN, Dubois was knocked down in the opening round and again in the third. Referee Howard Foster stopped the fight while Wardley was still on his feet. ESPN reports that Wardley has never been knocked down as a professional.

ESPN cited CompuBox data showing that Dubois outlanded Wardley in total punches (179-97), jabs (92-57) and power punches (87-40). Dubois landed 45.8% of his total punches. Wardley landed 27.1%.

According to ESPN, Dubois's record is 23-3 with 22 knockouts. All three of his losses came by stoppage: to Joe Joyce in 2020 and to Oleksandr Usyk in 2023 and 2025. Wardley's record is 20-1-1 with 19 knockouts. ESPN, citing DraftKings, reports that Dubois was a +100 underdog for the first fight and is a -370 favourite for the rematch. ESPN says the fight is broadcast on DAZN at 2 p.m. ET.

What each side says

Michael Ofo, Wardley's manager, told ESPN that Wardley's team will ask officials to watch tactics by Dubois that they objected to in the first fight. He alleged that these included tackles, thumbing, pawing at Wardley's face to open a cut, rabbit punches and leading with the head.

"We're calling for a stronger referee. Fabio's too much of a gentleman to call those things out, but my role is to highlight these things," Ofo told ESPN. He said the issues from the first fight could decide the rematch.

According to ESPN, Wardley wrote on social media after the first fight: "My body failed me, but not my heart. And that I can live with."

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any response from Dubois or his team to the allegations. They do not say whether any alleged fouls drew warnings or point deductions. They do not name the referee for the rematch. They were published before or at the start of the bout and do not include its result.

Analysis

The rematch tests two different readings of the first fight. The punch statistics cited by ESPN point to a clear edge for Dubois. Wardley's camp instead focuses on conduct it says went unpunished. If officials respond to the call for closer refereeing, it could shape how the fight is conducted. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not show any such response. Dubois's history of knockdowns and Wardley's early success in May suggest the bout could turn on punching power. This remains uncertain until the result is known. A clear outcome may settle the debate. A contested one could prolong it.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.