Dubois v Wardley 2 - heavyweight title fight predictions

Five months after producing one of the most dramatic heavyweight fights of the year, Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley will renew their rivalry in London on Saturday.

Dubois, 29, makes the first defence of his WBO world title after climbing off the canvas twice to stop Wardley in the 11th round of their thrilling encounter in Manchester in May.

Ipswich's Wardley, 31, suffered the first defeat of his professional career that night but immediately activated his rematch clause in a bid to reclaim his world title.

With 41 knockouts between them in 43 combined victories, another explosive contest could be in store at the O2 Arena.

Can Dubois repeat his victory or will Wardley gain revenge and become a two-time world champion?

BBC Sport spoke to figures from across the boxing world to get their predictions.

Barry Jones - former super-featherweight world champion

"It's very hard to pick against the winner of the first fight when there's a rematch. Dubois was so composed, even after being knocked down twice. Wardley can knock out any person at any time, that's what took him from no experience on the white-collar scene to a world champion. You know what you will get with him.

"Dubois' issue has never been power, strength or bravery. It's when he has to think and can't find an answer and the panic occurs. If you whack him with big shots, he knows he can whack you back and hurt you.

"When he was knocked down, his corner played a great role to keep him calm and he knew what he had to do - hit Wardley clean and often.

"I think it will be the same result but Dubois might win a lot earlier this time. Wardley might knock him down and it will still be a thrilling fight while it lasts, but I think it will be Dubois inside five rounds."

Prediction - Dubois

Ade Oladipo - DAZN presenter

"Repeat or revenge? I guess you have to go for repeat. Wardley had his moments in the first fight but Dubois was so dominant. Aside from the two knockdowns, Dubois was bullish, strong and aggressive. Getting up from those two knockdowns showed a lot as well.

"So I favour Dubois. We know Wardley has the knockout power but I think Dubois is the best heavyweight in the world - with Oleksandr Usyk on an island by himself and we'll wait to see what he will do next.

"Dubois is number one - with Wardley top five in the world - and I think he will take a lot of confidence knowing a) he is world champion and b) it's a very quick turnaround for Wardley who took a beating in the first fight five months ago.

"If I had to put money on someone, I'm putting all my chips on Dubois getting the stoppage again."

Prediction - Dubois

Johnny Fisher - British heavyweight

"It's a great fight. Credit to Wardley for going back in there after taking some serious, serious damage and still standing - unbelievable tenacity from the man. And he can hurt Dubois - we saw that in the first minute or so of the fight.

"For me, though, the smart money would be on another Dubois victory."

Prediction - Dubois

Richard Riakporhe - British heavyweight champion

"It's a fascinating fight. Dubois has tremendous power and is dangerous at any moment, but I slightly favour Wardley. I think his resilience, work rate and ability to find a way through tough moments could make the difference.

"I'd give Wardley a 60-40 edge, but I wouldn't be surprised either way."

Prediction - Wardley

Liam Gough – boxing content creator and BBC Sounds' Punch Perfect host

"I think Daniel Dubois will come into this fight with enormous confidence, particularly after the way he came through two early knockdowns and went on to dominate thereafter. I struggle to see what Fabio Wardley can do differently this time to change the outcome.

"I expect Dubois to be even more aggressive and menacing from the opening bell. His jab will be sharp, but what makes him so dangerous is that he has more than just a big right hand in his arsenal.

"Wardley is a huge puncher himself, but I believe Dubois has more dimensions to his game, with a Plan B and Plan C if things don't go exactly as planned. I don't think we're going to see a long feeling-out process here.

"Dubois will look to impose himself immediately, put Wardley under pressure and take control of the fight early. This could be explosive from the very first exchange, so don't blink - because I don't think this one is going to last very long."

Prediction - Dubois

Carl Frampton - former two-weight world champion

"I think it's going to be a repeat scenario, and it may even end earlier. I'm not trying to be disrespectful to Wardley but when you're involved in those types of fights and are on the end of a beating like he was, sometimes you're not the same when you come back.

"His nose doesn't look like it's recovered. The only way for Wardley to win is to throw the kitchen sink at Dubois for the first three or four rounds. That gives him a chance. But the longer it goes on, Dubois' jab will do damage and Wardley's nose will be damaged again.

"Wardley is extremely tough but that can sometimes be your downfall. We've seen it in the last fight and in his previous fights. He's been in some wars and that takes something away from you.

"I see Dubois winning between rounds seven and 10."

Prediction - Dubois

Emily Eubank - BBC Sounds' Punch Perfect host

"I'd love Fabio to level the score so we get a trilogy, and he certainly can, but it'll be a tough night's work. My head says Daniel will be too confident and too calculated this time around for Fabio to pose much of a threat, and he'll get taken out again. I think Daniel will pick up where he left off, making it an easier and quicker win than the first fight. But let's see!"

Prediction - Dubois

Darren Barker - former middleweight world champion

"The first fight was called 'don't blink' and I think it should be a legal requirement that you do not blink for this rematch either. It has every single component required to be an absolute barnstormer.

"Wardley was second best last time. He had his moments but he is going to have to up his game. Dubois' confidence now will take him into another stratosphere and makes him a very tough man to beat. I feel his jab and his know-how, and the new-found self belief, will be the difference.

"But - and this is a big but - I'm not completely ruling out Wardley."

Prediction - Dubois

Michael 'Venom' Page - former UFC fighter

"It's interesting because Fabio Wardley landed a big shot very early in the first fight and I think weirdly enough that earlier success messed him up. What he ended up doing was button bashing the same shot he landed right at the beginning and Dubois kept anticipating it after that. Wardley didn't adjust and I'm surprised he didn't.

"If he's able to be smarter, land those kind of shots but also find a few other angles, that's a dangerous fight Wardley can win. But Dubois is a beast and will learn really well, I was impressed in that fight he learned while being hurt which is difficult. He's an aggressive person, a big power puncher. Some small adjustments and Wardley can turn it around but I will have to put my money on Dubois."

Prediction - Dubois

Jeamie TKV - British heavyweight

"My prediction for this is a little bit biased because we are in the same gym so I'm Team Wardley no matter what, even though I've known Dubois since he was 15.

"I do believe Wardley has the capability to get the win this time. It should be a great fight and I hope both men put on a great display for everyone to see and go home happy to their families."

Prediction - Wardley

Paul Smith - former world title challenger

"I fancy Dubois between the middle to late rounds. I think Wardley will come out fast and put it on him and that's his best chance. I wouldn't be surprised if he won early, but I think Dubois has his number.

"Wardley took a lot in that fight and that took a lot out of him. I don't see him trying to box Dubois, the only chance he has is to jump him on early. I think Dubois will match him and weather the storm and use his feet like he did last time to nullify whatever Wardley does."

Prediction - Dubois

Nick Peet – journalist and broadcaster

"I've never gotten a Dubois pick wrong. I am on record as saying he would be a world champion long before he achieved it, yet had him losing to Joe Joyce and twice against Oleksandr Usyk. However, I did predict he'd stop both Anthony Joshua and Fabio Wardley back in May.

"He's a much better mover and more agile than he's given credit for and now has a level of experience you can't manufacture, as we saw when he wisely took a knee in the first fight.

"In a battle between a puncher and a boxer (who can also punch), always go with the more accomplished fighter. Dubois by TKO, likely a little earlier than last time - as Wardley's corner won't be so brave second time around."

Prediction - Dubois

"It's the rematch of 2026 after one of the greatest heavyweight fights we've seen on our shores. The first encounter had everything – thrills and spills, blood, brutality and boxing at its very best.

"Will it be repeat or revenge? Dubois is the world champion and favourite going in, but can Wardley find the power to keep Dubois down this time? Or does Dubois' confidence and power carry him through?

"Both are predicting wins within five rounds. I see this as a knockout, but I'm not sure which way."

Prediction – 50-50

Tony Bellew - former cruiserweight world champion

"I'm going to be the difference. I am going to back Fabio Wardley by knockout within six rounds. Yep, I said. I'm going for Fab within six."

Prediction - Wardley