By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER
Updated:
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog as Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley face off in a highly-anticipated rematch.
Wardley: 'I can right the wrongs'
Fabio Wardley, speaking at the final press conference:
Surprisingly, I feel great. It's one of those things, especially when you suffer a loss, it's never part of the plan. It's never what you want, but I think the thought of it is actually worse than the reality.Especially with myself and my resume and the way I go about things of wanting to put myself in the biggest fights out there, put myself in the biggest test. I want to be in there with the best guys so that does put you in a situation for jeopardy, for things to go wrong and yeah, it did, but I can right those wrongs.
What's changed since last time?
Charlotte spoke to Wardley in the week about how he's improved since last time out.
He'll need to be better - that's evident. But how has he gone about doing that?
Find out by watching below!
Dubois: 'Looking at bigger and better things'
Daniel Dubois, speaking in the final press conference:
Feeling stronger, feeling grounded and ready to go out there and do my job. Another one. Get through this and do bigger and better things.I'm ready to go out there and do my job. I take every fight serious. Every challenge 100 per cent. So I'm just zoned in to go out there and perform.
The rise of British heavyweight boxing
We have Charlotte Daly and Jeff Powell MBE at the O2 tonight for coverage, and I wanted to share this piece Jeff wrote in the week with you.
Jeff has been there, done it, got the wardrobe, and everyone else’s wardrobe too. He’s seen more boxing than anyone on this planet, I’m absolutely sure of it.
He wrote this week about the previous dominance of US heavyweight boxing and how the UK has now taken over. And it’s spot on - just look at the scene.
If you want to read more, click below. Well worth the read.
Dynamite Daniel in the house
Here's the champion!
'Unclear who is fan favourite'
Charlotte Daly at the O2 Arena:
There is a feeling in the air tonight. I felt it on the tube over, I felt it walking to the venue and I felt it as soon as I took my seat. The fans have turned out in the masses. They’re expecting fireworks and I have no doubt these two men will deliver.It’s hard to tell who the fan favourite is heading into this fight. I’ve heard groups of friends debating and fighting the corner of each man. But, I’m sure we’ll find out once they’re both shown on the big screen.
First fight recap
Wardley was undefeated going into the first fight, and started really well by dropping Dubois twice early on.
The first came just 10 seconds in with a big right, and he did the same in the third.
Dubois would have seen his career flashing before his eyes. By boy, did he recover.
Dynamite delivered some pretty nasty swelling to the champion, and the referee eventually stopped it in the 11th round.
We may or may not see similar tonight. Can’t wait for it.
'We're in for a treat!
Charlotte Daly at the O2 Arena:
We’re in for a treat for tonight if this evening’s fight is even half the spectacle we saw during the first encounter!For those who perhaps don’t remember… Wardley and Dubois produced a gruelling contest in Manchester last May, with the fight eventually stopped in the 11th round after Dubois had subjected his opponent to a sustained assault in the latter rounds.
The result saw Dubois take Wardley’s belt and become a two-time heavyweight world champion. Wardley will be looking to earn the title back this evening.
It's rematch time!
Hello everyone! How are we?
A bit of boxing for you. We have Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 from the O2 this evening in a rematch of their bout a couple of months ago.
It was Dubois who came out on top back in May, winning via 11th round TKO to claim the WBO World Heavyweight Championship.
Tonight he puts it on the line again. The fighters will head to the ring soon - should be a good one!
