What To Know
- Daniel Dubois staked his claim as the world’s top heavyweight with a destructive performance in London on Saturday
- In the first defense of his WBO World Heavyweight title, Dubois stopped Wardley in two rounds.
- Did Wardley come back too fast after his loss to Dubois five months ago?
Daniel Dubois threw a massive stick of dynamite into the ring from the opening bell, landing a massive right hand to Fabio Wardley’s jaw just 17 seconds into their rematch on Saturday. It was the first knockdown in Wardley’s professional career.
Referee Steve Gray could have stopped the fight there. Wardley’s trainer, Ben Davison, could have stopped the fight there. But Wardley was allowed to continue.
Five minutes later, Davison stepped in to stop the damage being done to Wardley. Just like that, the much-anticipated rematch was over at 2:21 of round two. Dubois of London (24-3, 23 KOs) successfully defended his WBO World Heavyweight title over Wardley of Ipswich, England (20-2-1, 19 KOs).
“Shout out to the whole team for the effort, man. Fabio is a great warrior coming in for a second time, but it was my time, in my era. I have to rule right now,” said Dubois with a rarely seen grin on his face.
Daniel Dubois Slams the Door
Both Wardley and Dubois vowed to deliver another epic battle after their 2026 Fight of the Year candidate, a high bar. Oddsmakers favored Dubois, giving Wardley a chance only if he could strike early as he did in the first fight, and make it stick.
Dubois never gave him a chance. Credit to Wardley for surviving the initial knockdown which would have dropped a rhino, and the next five minutes of the fight. Outside a boxing ring, Dubois would be charged with aggravated assault.
Wardley’s trainer Ben Davison admitted a few days after the first fight that he made a mistake not stepping in earlier. He was on the top step near the end of the first round with the towel in his hand, but Wardley got out of the first round. Referee Steve Gray had nerves of steel in not stopping the fight himself at any point in the first round.
Wardley didn’t have enough time in the corner to recover. The damage left from the first fight emerged as the second round ticked by. Finally, Davison did the right thing and the towel came into the ring.
Dubois: “I Had Bad Intentions”
“I had bad intentions from the beginning, and this is God’s victory tonight, and we done we done well,” said Dubois. “This time, we just had to go out there and show that we mean business, and that’s what we did tonight.”
Wardley: “The Game Is The Game”
Wardley made no excuses for the outcome in the rematch, but vowed it wasn’t the end.
“Look, it’s never fun to lose, but it is what it is. The game is the game. I’ve always thrown myself in with the best competitors out there, with the best in the business, the toughest, the biggest, hardest, meanest guys around. So, look, there’s no shame in the loss when you’re putting yourself in and testing yourself against the best.
“Daniel’s a testament to coming up short and coming again, and I’ll be looking to do the exact same thing,” said Wardley.
Too Much Too Soon For Fabio Wardley?
The analysis immediately turned to whether Wardley rushed the rematch after taking tremendous punishment from Dubois in the first fight. Wardley disagreed.
“Not at all. Look, I just came in. I didn’t execute the game plan properly tonight. That was all. I hold my hands up to that. It’s entirely down to me,” explained Wardley.
Wardley also absolved his team, including head trainer Ben Davison, who’s now seen two of his three heavyweight stars, Dubois and Moses Itauma, take losses.
“When I step through the ropes, it’s only myself. It’s only me and me bouncing around in the ring and doing everything. There’s no blame to be passed around. When I win, it’s all me as well. So, look, we’ll go back to the drawing board as a team. There’s no shame in losing to a great competitor like Daniel.”
The Heavyweight Division Outlook
It will be wise for Wardley to sit out for a longer spell, reassess and put in some months in the gym in 2027 before coming back. Queensberry Promotions and Frank Warren will welcome him with open arms. Wardley is likeable, popular, and easy to work with.
In the meantime, Warren said he would be working toward unification fights in 2027. “I’ve got to say, Fabio Wardley, what a brave guy! I mean, his heart is unbelievable. But it was Daniel’s night. It was a superb performance, a powerful performance.
“And next year we’re going to see some more great fights, some big fights, and Fabio will come back as well,” said Warren.
Filip Hrgovic Stokes the Fire
Before Dubois left the ring, Warren invited newly minted IBF World Heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic up for a chat. The smiling Croatian wasted no time getting there and offering his thoughts.
“Look, it was easy night for Daniel. He did a good job, quick, quick win. So he’s ready to fight me in March, right?” laughed Hrgovic.
Dubois was all about it. “I want to have a rematch with him. I want to get that belt. I want to get my old belt back and yeah, rule the division.”
Hrgovic has long wanted to bring a heavyweight fight to his native Croatia. Queensberry is likely to stage a title defense for Hrgovic in Croatia against Frank Sanchez, and then the chatter will begin about a Dubois vs Hrgovic showdown. With Agit Kabayel vs Nelson Hysa ticket sales now well over 42,000, let’s see if Croatia’s enthusiasm catch match it.
When the heavyweight division is healthy and competitive, it’s good for all of boxing. Here’s to a great year ahead in boxing in 2027.
Dubois Wardley 2 Undercard Notes
The undercard served as a domestic showcase for British prospects. It’s a positive development that keeps fighters busy, but it doesn’t always make for riveting entertainment.
The co-main event left everyone unsatisfied as announcer Thomas Treiber announced a majority draw between Louie O’Doherty of Essex (12-0-1, 3 KOs) and Michael Gomez Jr. of Manchester (23-2-1, 8 KOs). Scores were 115-114 for Gomez, and 114-114 on the other two cards.
Gomez Jr. had appeared to pull out the win and was visibly upset. O’Doherty retains his British and Commonwealth lightweight title. A rematch is highly likely.
Promising Irish heavyweight Adam Olaniyan of Tallaght (5-0, 5 KOs) got back into the ring six weeks after scoring a first-round knockout on the Katie Taylor undercard at Croke Park. Olaniyan took two rounds for a TKO win over Dan Garber of Yorkshire (14-10, 2 KOs).
Olaniyan is 20 years old and a work in progress. He has the looks and charisma to take him far if his skills keep pace.
“What a crowd, what an atmosphere. I couldn’t have asked better for my fifth professional fight,” said Olaniyan.
Heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan (18-0, 15 KOs) ground out a decision win behind a fifth-round knockdown over Solomon Dacres of London (10-2, 3 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 99-91, and 99-90. Jalolov was never remotely threatened.
Jalolov seems more interested in seeking a third gold medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It would be an impressive accomplishment, but he’s not going to get a lot of opportunities as a heavyweight if he walks through dull fights.
Highly regarded super bantamweight amateur Manny Safari won his pro debut by stopping journeyman Jake Pollard of London (1-122-1).
Yes, that’s right. Pollard has racked up 541 rounds in those fights. Saturday’s bout was his 20th of 2026 alone, and he has four more fights scheduled before the end of the year.
Polland is a lunch pail boxer who makes his living testing prospects twice a month. It must be paying his bills, but it’s not an easy way to make a living. Boxing needs guys like Polland. Respect.