Daniel Dubois has underlined his status as Britain’s leading heavyweight in emphatic fashion, scoring a devastating second-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley to retain his WBO title at London’s O2 Arena on October 17.
Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley (Credits: BBC Sport)
Wardley’s bid to regain the belt lasted less than six minutes. Just 17 seconds into the fight, Dubois floored the challenger with a straight right hand to the chin — and Wardley never recovered. He beat referee Steve Gray’s count, but his legs betrayed how badly he was hurt, and Dubois kept landing heavy punches for the rest of a punishing opening round.
Towel Thrown at 2:21 of Round Two
Wardley’s trainer Ben Davison already had the towel ready during the first round but held off, giving his man the chance to recover on his stool. It didn’t work. Dubois resumed the attack in the second, pinned Wardley against the ropes, and unleashed another barrage to the head — prompting Davison to throw in the towel at 2:21, sparing his fighter further punishment.
The numbers tell the story: Dubois improved to 24-3 with 23 knockouts, while Wardley dropped to 20-2-1.
A Tale of Two Fights
The rematch could not have been more different from their first meeting. Back in May in Manchester, Wardley dropped Dubois twice early before the champion roared back to stop him in the 11th round and take the title in a thunderous, bloody war. This time, Dubois took control with his first major attack and never let go.
“Fabio is a great warrior, coming in for a second time, but it was my time and my era,” Dubois said afterward. “I had my intentions, bad intentions, from the beginning.” Wardley was gracious in defeat, saying there was “no shame in testing yourself against the best.”
What’s Next: Hrgovic Face-Off
The night ended with fireworks of a different kind: newly crowned IBF champion Filip Hrgovic entered the ring for a face-off with Dubois, with both camps discussing a unification fight as early as next spring. And Tyson Fury — who fights Anthony Joshua on December 11 — was watching, hailing Dubois’s “good knockout.”
Also Read: After Dubois Destroyed Wardley in 2 Rounds, What’s Next? Hrgovic Rematch, Fury-Joshua Winner Loom and Daniel Dubois Destroys Fabio Wardley In Two Rounds To Retain WBO Heavyweight Title
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
