Daniel Dubois reaffirmed his position among the leading names in heavyweight boxing after stopping fellow Briton Fabio Wardley in the second round on 17 October 2026 at the O2 Arena in London, retaining his World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title in emphatic fashion.
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The rematch began with Dubois immediately asserting his authority. Just 17 seconds into the opening round, the champion landed a powerful straight right hand that sent Wardley to the canvas. Although the challenger recovered and continued fighting, he struggled to escape the sustained pressure as Dubois repeatedly advanced and unleashed his attacks.
Wardley attempted to withstand the assault through the remainder of the first round, but the momentum remained firmly with the champion. When the fighters returned for the second round, Dubois resumed his offensive, leaving Wardley unable to regain control of the contest.
With the challenger absorbing further punishment and failing to turn the tide, his corner threw in the towel. The referee halted the fight at two minutes and 21 seconds of the second round, awarding Dubois victory by technical knockout.
The result marked a significant contrast with their first encounter in May 2026. During that fight, Wardley had knocked Dubois down twice before the champion recovered and secured victory in the eleventh round. This time, Dubois left little room for uncertainty, imposing his power from the opening exchanges and preventing Wardley from building momentum.
The victory also gave Dubois his first successful defence of the WBO heavyweight championship since securing the title. His professional record improved to 24 victories, including 23 knockouts, against three defeats. Wardley’s record now stands at 20 wins, two losses and one draw.
For Dubois, the decisive performance reinforces his standing in the heavyweight division and demonstrates his ability to adapt after a challenging first meeting. For Wardley, the defeat highlights the difficulties of facing a champion who can combine early aggression with sustained pressure and fight-ending power.
The London rematch ultimately belonged to Dubois, whose explosive opening and relentless attack brought the contest to an abrupt end and allowed him to retain his world title before the fight could develop into another prolonged battle.
