Dubois vs Wardley II: Key Details for the Heavyweight Rematch

Daniel Dubois will defend his WBO heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley in a highly anticipated rematch at London’s O2 Arena this Saturday. Their first bout, just five months ago in Manchester, was one of the year's most thrilling fights.

The London-born Dubois, 29, overcame two knockdowns before stopping Wardley in the 11th round, securing his second world championship. Wardley, 31 from Ipswich, tasted his first professional loss but swiftly activated a rematch clause.

Will Dubois repeat his victory or can Wardley finish what he started? Here’s everything you need to follow fight night.

How to Watch and Listen to Dubois vs Wardley

Live text updates will start at 21:00 BST on Saturday, 17 October via the BBC Sport website and app. Radio coverage from London begins at the same time on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, with the main event airing on BBC Radio 5 Live from 22:00.

Stacey Copeland hosts the live broadcast alongside lead commentator Ronald McIntosh, supported by Steve Bunce and former super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall. Fans can also join a live watch-along on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport’s online platforms, YouTube, and TikTok, featuring live reactions and analysis by broadcaster Nick Peet, British heavyweight champ Richard Riakporhe, and BBC Sounds' Punch Perfect hosts Emily Smith and Liam Gough.

Ringwalk Timings

Though official times are pending, both fighters are expected to enter the ring after 22:30 BST. All timings may shift.

Fight Card Order

• Main Event: Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley – WBO heavyweight title
• Louie O Doherty vs Michael Gomez Jr – British and Commonwealth lightweight title
• Bakhodir Jalolov vs Solomon Dacres – heavyweight
• Tony Curtis vs Kerim Agius – super-flyweight
• Leighton Birchall vs Luis Vara Carrillo – featherweight

Preliminary Fights

• Fawas Aborode vs Rashid Omar – lightweight
• Manny Safari vs Jake Pollard – featherweight
• Adam Olaniyan vs TBA – heavyweight
• Aaron Noriega vs TBA – super-featherweight
• Zayn Ahmed vs Kasey Bradnum – super-featherweight
• Issiah Hamilton-Allen vs Jensen Irving – middleweight

Fight Week Schedule (BST)

• Wednesday: Open workouts at 17:00
• Thursday: News conference at 12:30
• Friday: Weigh-in at 18:00

Comparing Dubois and Wardley's Records

Physically, the two boxers are closely matched, with nearly identical knockout power. Dubois holds 23 wins in 26 bouts, including 22 knockouts. Wardley has 20 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with 19 knockouts.

Between them, 41 of their 43 victories ended inside the distance. Dubois has more high-level experience, having faced Oleksandr Usyk twice and fought Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, and Joe Joyce. Wardley took a less conventional path, rising from unlicensed boxing and recruitment work at age 19 to notable stoppage wins over Justis Huni and former world champion Joseph Parker before their first fight.

What’s at Stake?

The WBO heavyweight title held by Dubois is on the line for 12 rounds of three minutes each. This marks his first defense in his second reign as world champion. Previously, Dubois lost the IBF belt to Usyk in July 2025. Wardley had been elevated from interim to full WBO champion but lost the belt in his first defense to Dubois.

The WBO title is one of four major belts in heavyweight boxing, all held by different fighters: Dubois (WBO), Agit Kabayel (WBC), Filip Hrgovic (IBF), and Murat Gassiev (WBA).

Recap of the First Bout

The initial fight in Manchester's Co-op Live Arena featured knockdowns, momentum swings, and dramatic exchanges. Wardley shocked early by flooring Dubois twice, but Dubois recovered to stop Wardley in round 11.

Wardley showed immense courage fighting through a broken nose and a swollen eye, with ringside doctors checking him multiple times. By round 10, he struggled visibly, prompting some calls that the fight should have ended sooner.

Former world champion Carl Frampton called Wardley "the bravest man I’ve ever seen" but felt the referee or corner should have stopped the fight earlier. Darren Barker agreed, urging protection for Wardley.

Punch stats favored Dubois heavily: 179 punches landed to Wardley’s 97, including 87 power punches versus 40 from Wardley. Both men gained respect; Wardley’s grit and Dubois’ resilience were undeniable.

Future Possibilities for the Winner

The heavyweight scene could shift dramatically by year’s end. Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will face off at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in December, a fight delayed over a decade.

This bout might involve the controversial WBA super heavyweight title, which remains disputed since Murat Gassiev still holds the official WBA belt and has objected to crowning another champion.

The winner of Dubois vs Wardley could enter 2027 with lucrative options. For Dubois, a second win would cement his dominance over Wardley, enhancing a resume that includes wins over Joshua, Hrgovic, and Wardley twice. Possible targets include unification bouts with Kabayel or Hrgovic, or a match with the Fury-Joshua victor depending on the WBA situation.

For Wardley, regaining the title means avenging his sole defeat and entering unification talks. Losing again would mean rebuilding before another title shot. If Dubois loses, a third fight between these rivals would be nearly certain.