Daniel Dubois Stops Fabio Wardley in Round Two to Retain WBO Heavyweight Title

Daniel Dubois delivered a devastating performance to stop Fabio Wardley in the second round of their heavyweight rematch at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, October 17, retaining the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight world title.

The defending champion wasted little time asserting his authority, flooring Wardley with a powerful right hand just 17 seconds into the opening round. Although Wardley beat the count, he struggled to cope with Dubois' relentless pressure and heavy punches.

Dubois continued the assault throughout the first round, backing his opponent towards the ropes and landing a series of damaging shots. Wardley survived until the bell, but his corner was already considering whether to stop the contest.

The champion resumed his attack in the second round, leaving Wardley unable to mount a meaningful response. With the challenger absorbing a sustained barrage of punches, trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel, prompting referee Steve Gray to end the fight.

The stoppage confirmed another emphatic victory for Dubois, who successfully defended the title he had taken from Wardley in their first meeting in May.  

Dubois Reverses the Story of Their First Fight

The rematch was a dramatic contrast to the pair's previous encounter, which produced an 11-round battle in Manchester earlier this year.  

Wardley had knocked Dubois down twice in their first meeting, including an early knockdown, but Dubois recovered to stop his British rival in the 11th round and claim the WBO championship.

Wardley's determination to regain the belt led to the rematch, but he was unable to reproduce the performance that had troubled Dubois in their first contest.

The champion's early knockdown and sustained aggression put Wardley under immediate pressure, leaving the challenger with little opportunity to establish his rhythm.

Dubois Sets His Sights on Regaining the IBF Title

Following the victory, Dubois made clear that he wants another opportunity to become a dominant force in the heavyweight division.

“I want to have a rematch with him. I want to get my old belt back and rule the division,” Dubois said, referring to his former IBF championship.

IBF champion Filip Hrgovic was present at the O2 Arena and publicly challenged Dubois to a potential fight that could put both titles on the line. Any future contest would depend on the relevant negotiations and approval from the boxing authorities.

Dubois previously held the IBF title before losing it to Oleksandr Usyk in July 2025. His latest victory strengthens his position as he looks towards further opportunities at the top of the heavyweight division.

Wardley Vows to Return

Despite the defeat, Wardley remained defiant and indicated that he intends to rebuild his career after suffering the second loss of his professional career.

The 31-year-old acknowledged the difficulty of losing but maintained that testing himself against leading heavyweights was part of his approach to boxing.

“Daniel's a testament to coming up short and coming again,” Wardley said. “I'll be looking to do the exact same thing.”

The defeat leaves Wardley with a professional record of 20 wins, two losses and one draw, while Dubois improves to 24 victories and three defeats.

Dubois' second-round stoppage was a decisive conclusion to a rivalry that had produced a fierce first encounter. With the WBO title still around his waist and a possible unification fight being discussed, the champion now has further challenges to consider in the heavyweight division.