Fabio Wardley’s manager Mike Ofo has launched a scathing response after Daniel Dubois’ advisor Sam Jones raised doubts about the heavyweight rematch.

Wardley activated a clause for an immediate rematch after Dubois claimed the WBO heavyweight title with an 11th round stoppage win in a thrilling fight in Manchester in May.

The Ipswich boxer had floored Dubois twice in the early rounds before being halted on the ropes, but Jones has questioned Wardley’s desire to take a swift return bout.

Jones told Sky Sports: “I don’t think it’s a wise decision, but when it’s a free shot at the world heavyweight title, he’s probably thinking, ‘I don’t want to come back and have a comeback fight for not so much good money’.

“He’s used to making millions of pounds, so he’s thinking a free shot of the world heavyweight title.

“It’s a rematch clause that they put in, rightfully so. I’d have done exactly the same. But when you take a hiding like that, it can be dangerous. But let’s see what happens.

“We’ll know in more than a couple of weeks what Daniel’s going to do. But if it’s Fabio Wardley, I would just imagine Daniel to beat him a lot quicker this time.”

Wardley’s manager Ofo insists the rematch will go ahead and clarified that Wardley did not sustain any serious injuries in the first fight.

Ofo told Sky Sports: “I find it offensive to call it a “free shot.”

“If anyone had a free shot, it was Daniel coming off a loss to Usyk.

“If Jones was in the loop, he would know that the fight is going to take place. Fabio is still firmly in the driver’s seat while Jones is not even a passenger in the car from the content of his bleating.

“Fabio had no major injuries, no concussion just cosmetic damage. Daniel threw everything, including the kitchen sink, and still couldn’t put Fabio down. Fabio does not fear Daniel, and I fully expect him to learn from his mistakes and knock Daniel out next time.”

Jones remains confident that Dubois will emerge victorious when he resumes his rivalry with Wardley.

“I have so much time and admiration for Fabio Wardley,” said Jones. “He’s a one-off with his lack of amateur experience.

“He’s a ‘Rocky’ story. But I just believe that Daniel is a better fighter than Fabio Wardley, better fundamentals, bigger puncher, stronger than him. I just think Daniel Dubois is better than him.

“But Fabio Wardley has an equaliser. He showed he can hurt Daniel. He put him down twice. But they were his only moments in the fight, in my opinion.

“I think Daniel ended up giving him a right beating in the fight. Let’s see what happens. But Fabio’s a really good man. I wish him all the best. If he fights Daniel next, we’ll see him soon.

“If he doesn’t, then I wish him all the best in his amazing career.”

But Ofo has backed Wardley to regain his WBO belt with an emphatic victory.

“Jones’ assessment holds no weight and is more a reflection of his inflated ego than of what actually took place,” said Ofo.

“What is cogent is that it was a great fight between two warriors, and Fabio has every intention of winning his belt back in dramatic fashion.

“Jones is just a ventriloquist’s dummy for Stan Dubois, doing what he’s told. He’s only licensed to talk rubbish as he’s not a licensed boxing manager.

“But it’s not about us; the focus should be on the fighters and the rematch, which is going to be another fight of the year and nobody will be disappointed.”

Vinicius Junior’s future at Real Madrid remains up in the air.

A year and a half after the Spanish club and the Brazilian’s agents opened talks over the renewal of his contract, which expires in 2027, no agreement has been reached.

Several suitors are keeping a close eye on the situation, with The Athletic revealing that Arsenal are exploring a move for him. Arsenal’s ownership have also given approval to the idea of moving forward with a deal. Vinicius is Arsenal’s top target to strengthen their attack. A move to Arsenal appeals to the Brazil international if he does not renew his contract with Madrid. Should the attacker decide he wants to join Arsenal, an agreement is expected to be found on personal terms.

“(Mikel) Arteta loves him,” a person with knowledge of the Arsenal manager’s outlook says. “If he doesn’t renew, we will be there.”

The financial differences between Madrid and Vinicius remain significant, with the sides scheduled to hold conversations next week to bring the matter to a head. The player is due back in training by then. It is anticipated the days ahead will be crucial to determining the outcome.

As it stands, three options remain open: extend with Madrid, wait until next summer to depart as a free agent or join Arsenal now.

Here, after speaking to multiple sources familiar with the process — all of whom spoke under the condition of anonymity to protect relationships — The Athletic explains the current state of play regarding the 26-year-old.

When Madrid and Vinicius began discussing a contract renewal, few people would have thought that it would become a saga.

Having joined the club in 2018 from Flamengo for €45 million, Vinicius renewed in 2022 until 2027. That extension was carried out smoothly but also gave some indication of what the future might hold.

The club presented him with different financial offers depending on the length of the contract, with less money if he signed until 2027 instead of 2028 (as his compatriots Eder Militao and Rodrygo Goes did that same summer) or 2029.

Vinicius Junior has a contract with Madrid until summer 2027 (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

At the time, Vinicius and his inner circle were confident that his outstanding season – in which he scored the decisive goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool – was just the beginning of his establishment as an elite player. Based on that, they favoured a shorter renewal in order to renegotiate new, improved terms sooner.

With his salary that rises over time and the fulfilment of various bonuses, particularly winning FIFA’s The Best award in 2024, Vinicius is currently earning around €18m net per season.

In January 2025, general manager Jose Angel Sanchez and chief scout Juni Calafat met with Vinicius, two of his agents and his father — who holds a percentage of his rights — at Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex to approach the matter.

They proposed an offer, worth around €20m net per season, that was rejected by the player’s side. They put forward a counter-offer in the following weeks, which was rejected by the club.

In April 2025, Madrid suggested that the renewal was very advanced, with a number of reports in the Spanish press emerging to that effect. However, Vinicius’ entourage categorically denied it.

The Athletic revealed that the Brazilian was asking for a package of close to, but not quite, €30 million, comprising a base salary, performance-related bonuses and — something unprecedented in Madrid’s history — a renewal bonus.

Sources say the renewal bonus has been the main point of contention between the parties since then.
Faced with Madrid’s argument that they cannot exceed the wage cap any further, sources close to Vinicius’s camp say they see a renewal bonus as the only way to increase his earnings. Underlying this is the comparison with his teammate Kylian Mbappe, whose salary is very similar. However, Mbappe earns much more from the signing bonus he received after joining as a free agent from PSG in 2024.

Madrid have always been opposed to accepting Vinicius’s request, thinking that it would create a dangerous ‘knock-on effect’ within the squad in future renewals. Vinicius is open to lowering his demands if it helps reach an agreement with Madrid.

But Arsenal have capitalised on this current tug-of-war over his contract to put themselves in a strong position for a potential deal.

Aware of the gap between both sides after a lack of progress between Real Madrid and Vinicius, and of how this has been affecting the player, sources with knowledge of the situation say Arsenal have been making moves behind the scenes for months. Madrid’s anticipated signing of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig is seen as good news by sources close to Arsenal, as they believe Vinicius might view it as a move to ensure they are covered in the event of his departure. However, there is yet to be a resolution to that transfer, which could impact the progress of a move for Vinicius.

Sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with the Vinicius camp. Key figures at Arsenal have also conveyed to his representatives that he would be the star of a solid project, a team led by Arteta that won the last Premier League and only lost the Champions League final on penalties to PSG.

The London club wants to strengthen the squad this summer with a midfielder (they are closing in on a deal for Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes), a centre back to cover William Saliba’s absence due to his back injury over the coming months, and a left winger – in addition to the €40m signing of Christos Tzolis.

Madrid proposed a €20m annual salary to Vinicius, and Arsenal would need to and are willing to make an exception to their usual salary structure for a player like Vinicius. A sign-on bonus and image rights could also help from a financial standpoint. When it comes to a transfer fee, Madrid are at risk of losing Vinicius for free next summer, when his contract expires, which some at the Spanish club do fear. He would also be due a significant loyalty bonus next season. Arsenal hope to take advantage of Vinicius’ contract situation to negotiate a reduced fee.

Arsenal’s ownership have approved the anticipated figures for a deal. While the numbers are daunting, Arsenal hope their expenditure would be offset by a significant commercial windfall. Vinicius is a marketing powerhouse, and it is felt his arrival would elevate Arsenal’s brand to new heights. Arsenal think he can be the face of the club and possibly the Premier League — his arrival could arguably be the biggest transfer ever into the division.

Vinicius Junior playing for Brazil at the World Cup (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

But this is primarily a football-driven pursuit. Arsenal know that there are very few players who can genuinely add a new dimension to their title-winning team – and count Vinicius among them.

The club has carried out intensive work on the mission to sign Vinicius, and that continues. Arsenal are well aware this does not guarantee a successful outcome — a deal of this size and ambition will be difficult to pull off.

But Arsenal being in the conversation as a plausible destination for Vinicius is a notable development. To even be at the table is indicative of how far the club has come. Arsenal recognise that if they can land the player, it may be their most high-profile signing since Mesut Ozil in 2013. Arsenal are operating under the impression that Vinicius would be open to joining.

A sign of Arsenal’s determination would be that they are not actively pushing for Bradley Barcola, who they have shown interest in, with Liverpool instead set to make an opening offer for the France international.

People with knowledge of the situation say there are key figures at Madrid who favour selling Vinicius this summer to prevent him from leaving as a free agent in 2027. The final decision will rest with president Florentino Perez, who has always been Vinicius’ biggest supporter, alongside Calafat. Jose Mourinho likes the player and has been in touch with him but will understand any decision taken by the club.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation, sources with knowledge of Arsenal’s position say they remain optimistic about the potential capture if Vinicius does not renew his contract with Madrid.