Daniel Dubois kept his World Boxing Organization (WBO) championship in a powerful performance to stop Fabio Wardley in the second round of their heavyweight rematch in London.
The British rivals clashed at The O2 Arena on Saturday, October 17, five months after their first fight which saw Dubois claiming the title with an 11th-round stoppage in Manchester.
This time Dubois lost no time in establishing his influence. Just 17 seconds after the opening bell, he dropped Wardley with a huge right shot and the challenger had to count to get back into the fight.
Wardley tried to rally but Dubois kept coming, landing hard punches and left the challenger unable to cope with the champion’s power and unrelenting attack.
Wardley was up against the ropes under strong pressure as the first round concluded. He was able to survive and reach the bell but Dubois came out firing in the second and the challenger had no answer.
Wardley was taking more punishment and his trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel. Dubois won clearly when referee Steve Grey stopped the fight at two minutes and 21 seconds of the second round.
“This was my time and my era,” Dubois said after the battle, highlighting his aim to make a mark among the world’s top heavyweights.
The win extended Dubois’ pro record to 24 wins and three losses, with 23 of the wins coming via knockout. Wardley improves to 20 victories, two loses and one draw.
Wardley had shown great heart in their first fight, bouncing back from two knockdowns before falling in the 11th round. But the rematch was a different kettle of fish altogether as Dubois was in charge from the opening seconds and never gave his opponent a chance to adjust.
Despite the loss, Wardley welcomed the challenge of facing elite opposition and said he would be back stronger. It was just the second loss of his professional career.
The outcome also sparked questions of Dubois’ prospects of getting another huge heavyweight fight. IBF champion Filip Hrgovic was at ringside, and he issued an open challenge to Dubois to fight him in a possible title-unification bout.
Dubois is seeking to recapture the IBF title he once had, but any future bout would be contingent on talks and the division’s evolving schedule.
For the time being, the resounding win gives Dubois momentum and cements his position as a prominent player in the heavyweight category, while Wardley has the chore of regrouping after a tough nite in London.
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