Dubois stops Wardley in round two to retain WBO heavyweight title

British heavyweight boxer Daniel Dubois, 29, stopped fellow Briton Fabio Wardley, 31, in the second round of their professional rematch at London's O2 Arena, retaining his WBO (World Boxing Organization) heavyweight title. The result strengthens Dubois' standing among the leading active heavyweights, and he is now looking towards further major fights.

How the fight unfolded

Dubois floored Wardley with a straight right inside the opening 20 seconds; the source puts it at 17 seconds. Wardley survived the first round, but in the second Dubois drove him back into a corner and unleashed another series of punches. Wardley's trainer, Ben Davison, threw in the towel to end the contest.

Five months earlier in Manchester, Dubois had twice got up from the canvas to take the title from Wardley over 11 rounds. His professional record now stands at 24 wins, 23 by knockout, and three defeats. For Wardley it is the second loss in 23 pro fights.

Afterwards Dubois said his back had been against the wall the first time, and that this time they set out to show they meant business. Wardley said he has always faced the best, so there is no shame in losing.

What comes next

IBF (International Boxing Federation) champion Filip Hrgovic, whom Dubois beat in June 2024, entered the ring after the fight, and both want a rematch. Promoter Frank Warren, however, wants Hrgovic to make his first title defence in Croatia first. Dubois' biggest payday could come against the winner of the December bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, which is expected to carry the WBA 'super' title.

A sell-out crowd of 19,000 attended.