Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley are ready to run it back after producing one of the most dramatic heavyweight fights of the year.
Dubois defends the WBO heavyweight championship against Wardley on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at The O2 in London. The immediate rematch arrives just over five months after their punishing first encounter and will stream live exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
The roles have now been reversed. Wardley entered the first fight as the unbeaten champion, but Dubois survived two early knockdowns, took control as the rounds progressed and forced an 11th-round stoppage to leave Manchester with the title. Wardley immediately activated his rematch clause, giving him a direct opportunity to correct his mistakes and recover the championship.
Dubois believes the first result proved that he has Wardley’s number. Wardley sees the sequel as unfinished business. With both fighters carrying genuine knockout power and intimate knowledge of the other’s strengths, the second chapter could be even more intense than the first.
Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley 2: Fight details
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Venue: The O2, London, England
- Arena doors: 4:00 p.m. BST
- Expected broadcast start: Approximately 7:00 p.m. BST / 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT
- Estimated main-event ring walks: Approximately 10:30 p.m. BST / 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT
- Main event: Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley
- Championship: Dubois’ WBO heavyweight world title
- Live stream: DAZN Pay-Per-View
- Listed U.S. PPV price: $59.99
The final broadcast and ring-walk times can move depending on the duration of the undercard bouts. Viewers should check DAZN in their region and open the stream before the estimated main-event start.
Dubois returns as champion after an unforgettable comeback
Daniel Dubois enters the rematch with a 23-3 record and 22 knockout victories. The London heavyweight is now a two-time world champion after responding to one of the most difficult openings of his career with a determined, damaging comeback.
Wardley dropped Dubois only seconds into their first meeting and put him down again in the third round. Many fighters would have struggled to recover from that start, but Dubois remained composed, rebuilt his rhythm behind a powerful jab and gradually pushed the champion backward.
As Wardley’s pace slowed, Dubois’ technical advantages became more visible. His jab created openings for the straight right hand, while his shorter punches caused damage during close-range exchanges. The challenger’s pressure eventually overwhelmed Wardley, and the referee stopped the fight 28 seconds into Round 11.
Dubois has previously demonstrated similar resilience at the elite level. His résumé includes a knockout victory over Anthony Joshua and major fights against Oleksandr Usyk, Joseph Parker, Filip Hrgović and Jarrell Miller. He has endured setbacks, rebuilt and returned to championship level more than once.
For the rematch, Dubois will want to begin with greater concentration. He cannot assume that surviving Wardley’s best punches once guarantees that he can do it again. A disciplined jab, responsible defense and steady body attack could allow the champion to impose his superior fundamentals without giving Wardley the early opportunities he found in Manchester.
Wardley seeks revenge and the return of his championship
Fabio Wardley enters at 20-1-1 with 19 knockouts. The first loss of his professional career ended his WBO reign, but it did not erase the qualities that carried him from white-collar boxing to the heavyweight championship.
Wardley showed exactly why he is so dangerous during the opening rounds of the first contest. His timing, speed and unpredictable right hand caught Dubois before the challenger could settle. Two knockdowns gave Wardley a commanding start and appeared to place him within reach of another career-defining stoppage.
The problem came afterward. Wardley did not finish the hurt challenger, allowed Dubois to establish the jab and expended energy in exchanges that increasingly favored the more experienced boxer. By the championship rounds, Wardley was absorbing sustained punishment and struggling to regain control.
The rematch gives him a rare immediate chance to apply those lessons. Wardley must preserve the spontaneity that makes him dangerous while adding greater tactical discipline. If he hurts Dubois again, he needs to attack intelligently rather than emptying his reserves. If the fight reaches the later rounds, he must have enough energy to remain competitive.
Wardley has built his career by exceeding expectations. Regaining the championship in Dubois’ home city would be the most impressive answer possible to his first professional defeat.
What can change in the Dubois–Wardley rematch?
Rematches often depend on which fighter learned more from the first encounter. Dubois and Wardley both experienced success in Manchester, but each man also left with clear problems to correct.
Dubois knows his pressure, jab and endurance eventually broke Wardley down. He also knows that his slow start nearly cost him the fight before those advantages could matter. Wardley proved that he can hurt Dubois, but must now demonstrate that he can control the middle and late rounds against him.
Fans should watch four tactical questions:
- Can Dubois avoid another early crisis? The champion cannot give Wardley two knockdowns and expect the same recovery every time.
- Will Wardley manage his energy differently? A measured pace could leave him with more options if the rematch reaches the championship rounds.
- Who wins the battle of the jabs? Dubois used his jab to change the first fight, while Wardley must disrupt it before the champion settles.
- How much did the first war take from each man? The rematch comes only five months later after both heavyweights absorbed significant punishment.
Wardley may introduce more movement and avoid prolonged exchanges in the opening rounds. Dubois may target the body earlier and force the challenger to work under pressure. Neither man is likely to abandon the power that defines him, however, which means the tactical plan could disappear the moment a clean heavyweight punch lands.
Jalolov vs. Dacres leads the supporting card
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov faces British heavyweight Sol Dacres in the featured supporting contest. Jalolov brings an unbeaten professional record, southpaw size and considerable amateur pedigree. Dacres enters as the underdog but has the opportunity to transform his position in the heavyweight division with an upset.
Unbeaten Louie O’Doherty defends the British and Commonwealth lightweight championships against Michael Gomez Jr. O’Doherty is attempting to strengthen his position as one of Britain’s rising lightweights, while Gomez brings greater professional experience and the motivation of another domestic title opportunity.
The announced card also includes Tony Curtis against Kerim Agius at super flyweight and Leighton Birchall against Luis Vara Carrillo at featherweight. Manny Safari, Fawas Aborode, Aaron Noriega, Zayn Ahmed and Issiah Hamilton-Allen are among the prospects scheduled for preliminary action.
Fight cards and bout order remain subject to late changes, so viewers should check DAZN for the final running order on fight day.
How to watch Dubois vs. Wardley 2 on DAZN
Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley 2 will stream live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in supported markets. The event is listed at $59.99 in the United States.
Open DAZN on a compatible smart TV, phone, tablet, computer, streaming media player or game console. Search for “Dubois vs. Wardley 2,” select the live event and follow the purchase instructions for your region.
DAZN subscription requirements, PPV prices and replay availability can vary by country and membership plan. Some DAZN plans may include selected pay-per-view events, while other viewers will need to purchase the fight separately. Confirm the terms shown in your account before ordering.
The broadcast is expected to begin at approximately 7:00 p.m. BST / 2:00 p.m. ET, with main-event ring walks projected for around 10:30 p.m. BST / 5:30 p.m. ET. Those timings remain estimates and can change with the length of the undercard.
Don’t miss Dubois vs. Wardley 2 from London
Daniel Dubois survived two knockdowns, took over the first fight and returned to London as WBO heavyweight champion. Fabio Wardley refuses to let that night become the final word on his championship story.
Dubois wants a cleaner, more decisive victory in his first defense. Wardley wants revenge, redemption and the belt he carried into their original battle. Both already know that the other can hurt them—and neither needs any encouragement to exchange.
Watch Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley 2 live on DAZN Pay-Per-View on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The broadcast is expected to begin at approximately 7:00 p.m. BST / 2:00 p.m. ET, with the main event projected for around 10:30 p.m. BST / 5:30 p.m. ET.
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