Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois had been concerned instantly traditional for the heavyweight world title, with Dubois popping out on prime. Wardley has determined to activate his rematch clause – a transfer which Anthony Joshua has now reacted to.
Dubois twice hit the deck throughout the first three rounds however rallied to a spherical 11 stoppage after taking management of the competition and dealing Wardley with sufficient harm to trigger concern at ringside, earlier than the referee’s eventual and arguably belated intervention.
Within the fast aftermath, followers and fighters alike advised that Wardley ought to enable himself an prolonged interval of restoration time, because of the brutal nature of his defeat, even though he, in some way, suffered no main accidents within the battle.
Wardley and his workforce have thought in any other case and as a substitute selected to set off their rematch clause and drive a shot at regaining the WBO heavyweight crown from the now two-time champion Dubois.
Talking to iFL TV, fellow two-time heavyweight ruler Joshua agreed with Wardley’s determination, labelling each males as ‘warriors’.
“100% [Wardley did the right thing]. Pay attention, they’re warriors, what else are they going to do? Until he wants the time [to recover], I don’t know, however away from his private life and from a preventing perspective, if he’s 100% focussed and that’s what he needs to do – do it man, get in there. That is [for] the heavyweight championship of the world!”
Joshua agreed fast rematches with each Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk after struggling his first two profession defeats, avenging his shock upset loss to Ruiz however trumped once more when was tasked with Usyk for a second time.
Dubois-Wardley II may happen earlier than the top of the 2026 calendar, with promoter Frank Warren just lately suggesting that the pair may now headline a stadium in the UK.
