Daniel Dubois defeats Fabio Wardley to retain WBO heavyweight boxing title | Boxing
Dubois Retains WBO Heavyweight Title with Second-Round Stoppage of Wardley
LONDON — Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois successfully defended his WBO heavyweight title with a decisive second-round stoppage of fellow British boxer Fabio Wardley in their world title rematch at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
The 29-year-old champion came out strong, knocking down Wardley just 17 seconds into the first round with a straight right punch. Although Wardley, 31, managed to beat the count, he faced a barrage of punches that left him vulnerable as the round continued. He was saved from a potential stoppage only by the end of the first round.
Dubois continued his aggressive approach in the second round, overwhelming his opponent until Wardley’s corner threw in the towel. Referee Steve Gray then stopped the fight, declaring Dubois the winner.
“Fabio is a great warrior, coming in for a second time, but it was my time and my era,” Dubois said after the match, emphasizing his determination from the outset. “We just had to go out there and show that we mean business, and that’s what we did tonight.”
In their previous encounter in May, Dubois defeated Wardley by knockout in the 11th round, handing Wardley his first professional loss. At that time, Dubois managed to rally after being knocked down twice himself, illustrating his resilience in a challenging match in Manchester.
Wardley, who was elevated to WBO champion last November after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title, struggled to find his footing in the rematch, appearing significantly less effective than in their first bout.
With the loss, Wardley’s professional record now stands at 20 wins and 2 losses, while Dubois improves to 24 wins and 3 losses.
“I’ve always thrown myself in with the best competitors out there,” Wardley said following the fight. “There’s no shame in testing yourself against the best.”
Looking ahead, Dubois expressed interest in a rematch with current IBF champion Filip Hrgovic, who was present at ringside. Hrgovic, who claimed the IBF title in August after defeating Moses Itauma, challenged Dubois to a future bout for both belts.
“It was an easy night for Daniel. He did a good job, quick win. So he’s ready to fight me in March, right, Daniel?” Hrgovic asked, to which promoter Frank Warren indicated that other candidates may need to be addressed first.
Dubois previously held the IBF title, which he lost to Usyk in July 2025 before reclaiming himself as a champion.
“I want to have a rematch with him. I want to get my old belt back and rule the division,” Dubois stated, signaling his intent to reclaim his status in the heavyweight ranks.
As the boxing community anticipates the next steps for both fighters, Dubois and Hrgovic’s potential matchup could shape the future landscape of heavyweight boxing.
