Daniel Dubois confirmed he may well be the future of boxing’s heavyweight division with a one-sided beatdown of Fabio Wardley in their WBO world heavyweight title rematch in London on Saturday night.
The 29-year-old Londoner (now 24-3 with 23 wins inside distance) had to get off the canvas twice early to win a gripping first meeting between these two British stars back in May, but this time things were very very different.
Now it was Dubois landing the early bombs and this time there would be no famous comeback as Wardley (now 20-2-1) was stopped in Round 2.
Dubois takes early control
Dubois, who eventually won the first meeting via an 11th-round stoppage, came in here as a firm favourite and eager to showcase the “bad intentions” he had referenced pre-fight.
The course of the fight was determined right from the very start, with Dubois sending Wardley to the deck with a massive right hand after just 17 seconds. The Ipswich man appeared hurt and stunned by the early reverse.
The remainder of a breathless opening session was Dubois loading up as a desperate Wardley tried to cover up. But despite a high guard, Fabio was unable to stop the assault raining down on him.
Late in the first round Wardley again walked onto an enormous Dubois right hand, and the only surprise was that he made it to hear the bell as another furious assault ensued.
The hope in the Wardley corner was that the minute between rounds would allow him to regain his senses, but that was not going to happen. It was all Dubois once more, just more of the same.
Outside of his massive right hand, Wardley’s greatest attribute is his chin but he was taking way too much punishment and ‘Dynamite’ could not miss with his chopping right hand.
Eventually the punches were too many and the punishment too much and the Wardley corner threw the towel in to signal the end with just over 40 seconds remaining in Round 2.
It was a brutal beatdown by Dubois, continuing on from how the first meeting of these two men had ended. He is absolutely now in in play to be the next great king of the heavyweight division.
With Oleksandr Usyk now on a final victory lap in his glittering career, and Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua concentrating on each other, it is time for a new generation to rule. And WBO king Dubois – himself already a two-time world champion – is perfectly positioned.
As for Wardley, his fairytale story may now be over. But he came from a career in recruitment and fighting on white-collar cards to become a world heavyweight champion – an incredible rise. He provided fantastic entertainment, achieved amazing things. Maybe now is the time to retire and enjoy the fruits of his labours.
Dubois vs Wardley 2 result
Dubois won by TKO in Round 2 and retains his WBO heavyweight title. He rises to 24-3 while Wardley falls to 20-2-1.
