Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley again in his next confirmed fight.
This second meeting comes after their WBO heavyweight title bout on May 9, 2026, at the Co-op Live in Manchester, where Dubois won by stoppage in round 11.
Wardley used his contract right to a second fight days after the loss, and promoter Frank Warren has said both camps are now working toward a return match.
The fight matters because it puts the WBO heavyweight belt back on the line between two British punchers who gave fans one of the best heavyweight fights of the year.
UK fans want to know when the fight will take place, where to watch it, and whether Wardley can reclaim his title. Here is what is confirmed so far.
Is Daniel Dubois’ Next Fight with Fabio Wardley?
Yes. Daniel Dubois will fight Fabio Wardley again, and this is his confirmed next bout.
Wardley triggered the rematch clause in his contract just days after his May loss, and Frank Warren has said both camps are working on the return fight.
The rematch happened because Wardley lost his WBO title in a close, hard-fought bout and wants it back right away.
Dubois got up off the canvas twice early on before winning by stoppage in round 11, so a second meeting was widely expected.
Some reports point to autumn 2026 as a target window, though nothing is locked in yet.
This is a true rematch between the same two men, not a new matchup with a different opponent.
Rematch: Date and VenueNo official date or venue has been set yet. Frank Warren told iFL TV the fight is being targeted for autumn 2026, likely September through November, and that Dubois will defend against another opponent if Wardley is not ready in time. Wardley’s manager, Michael Ofo, has since pushed back on a quick turnaround, telling ProBox TV the fight will not happen within three months of the clause being activated and that the timing favors Wardley under the contract. The first fight took place at the Co-op Live in Manchester, so a UK venue is likely again for round two, though nothing has been locked in. |
What Is at Stake in This Fight?
This rematch puts the WBO heavyweight title, both men’s records, and their standing in British boxing on the line. Here is what each side is fighting for.
- WBO heavyweight title: Dubois holds the belt now, and Wardley wants to win it back after the first pro loss of his career.
- British heavyweight ranking: The winner gains ground among Britain’s top heavyweights, a group that includes Moses Itauma and Anthony Joshua.
- Dubois’ comeback story: A win keeps his rise going after past losses to Oleksandr Usyk and adds weight to talk of bigger fights ahead.
- Wardley’s response: A win proves his first loss was not the end and restores his standing as a top contender.
Both men have real reasons to fight hard. The belt, the bragging rights, and each man’s path forward all rest on this one match.
Fabio Wardley’s Push for a Rematch
Fabio Wardley suffered the first loss of his pro career when Dubois stopped him in round 11 this past May.
He dropped Dubois twice early in the fight but could not hold his lead as the rounds went on.
Days after the loss, Wardley told Sky Sports he made mistakes he plans to fix in the rematch.
He also took facial injuries in the first fight, though doctors who examined him afterward found no fractures or concussion, and he did not require hospital treatment.
Some voices in boxing, including former champion Duke McKenzie, have warned against a fast turnaround, pointing out how physically demanding boxing can be for fighters who return too soon.
Even so, Wardley moved forward and activated his rematch right, making clear he wants his belt back as soon as possible.
Fight Style Breakdown: Dubois vs Wardley
Both fighters hit hard and rarely go the distance. Their first meeting showed two punchers willing to trade shots even after getting hurt. Here is how their styles compare.
| Category | Daniel Dubois | Fabio Wardley |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Sharp right hand, fast finishes | Big overhand right, heavy shots |
| Jab | Long and steady, wears foes down | Shorter mainly sets up the right |
| Chin | Got up twice after knockdowns | Took heavy punishment, stayed on his feet |
| Stamina | Slow start, grows stronger late | Fast start, faded in later rounds |
| Record | 23 wins, 3 losses, 22 by knockout | 20 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, 19 by knockout |
Records via BoxRec.
Their first fight closely matched these numbers. Dubois needs a slow build and a strong finish, while Wardley needs a fast start to avoid a long night.
Who Else Stands in the Way of the Rematch?
The Wardley rematch is not the only path forward for Dubois. Several other contenders are pushing for a shot at the WBO title, and any of them could delay or reshape the second Wardley fight.
- Moses Itauma: Itauma faces Filip Hrgovic on August 29 at the O2 Arena, with Hrgovic reportedly holding a contract clause that earns him a shot at Dubois’ WBO title if he wins. Frank Warren has floated an Itauma vs. Dubois fight as a possibility for 2027. Itauma trains at the same Harlow gym as Wardley, and Wardley has called a fight between the two an impossibility for now, since they are stablemates.
- Oleksandr Usyk: Usyk beat Rico Verhoeven in May 2026, then vacated his WBA, WBC, and IBF titles the following month, saying he wants one final fight before stepping away from the sport. Names like Deontay Wilder and Jon Jones have been floated for that farewell bout, taking Usyk out of the immediate picture for a Dubois or Wardley fight, though he has already beaten Dubois twice in the past.
- Joe Joyce: Joyce, who beat Dubois in 2020, told Sky Sports in June that he wants another shot at the WBO belt he feels he was in line for years ago. He still needs to string together wins before his case gains real traction.
- Agit Kabayel: Kabayel holds the WBC interim title and has said he is open to a unification fight with Dubois once his own situation with Usyk and Verhoeven plays out.
- Deontay Wilder: Wilder has been floated as a voluntary option at the O2 Arena if the Wardley rematch stalls or Wardley needs more time to recover.
Frank Warren will need to balance the rematch clause, the WBO’s mandatory rules, and these competing calls for a title shot. For now, Wardley remains the leading candidate to face Dubois next, but the path is not as simple as it looked right after the first fight.
How to Watch the Rematch in the UK?
DAZN is expected to stream the rematch on pay-per-view, the same setup used for the first fight.
UK fans should expect an evening start, with the main event likely to begin late at night, based on past Queensberry cards.
Exact pricing has not been announced, but the first Dubois vs Wardley card cost UK buyers around £20 to £25 on DAZN.
The stream should work on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and computers through the DAZN app or website.
A DAZN subscription may be needed along with the pay-per-view fee, depending on the final setup for this event.
Note: Full viewing details should follow once Queensberry confirms a date.
UK Fight Time and Event Schedule
Exact times are not out yet, but past Queensberry heavyweight cards offer a strong guide for what UK fans can expect on fight night.
- Main card start: Usually begins around 7 PM UK time based on past Queensberry shows.
- Main event ring walk: Often falls between 10 PM and midnight, depending on how long the undercard runs.
- Undercard length: Recent cards have run 8 to 10 fights before the main event begins.
- Full show length: The first Dubois vs Wardley card ran close to five hours start to finish.
Once Queensberry sets a date, timing should follow the same rough pattern fans saw at the first fight this past May.
Why This Rematch Is Trending in UK Boxing
The first Dubois vs Wardley fight is already being called one of the best heavyweight fights of the year, with both men hitting the canvas and neither backing off.
That kind of fight builds strong demand for a second meeting, the sort of rivalry that keeps fans coming back for more. British boxing fans have also been watching the heavyweight scene closely.
Young fighters like Moses Itauma are drawing comparisons to past stars such as Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
A Dubois vs Wardley rematch keeps that spotlight on home talent.
Add in the drama around Wardley’s rematch clause, his recovery from facial injuries, and the debate about whether he should return so soon, and it is easy to see why fans keep talking about this fight.
Career Comparison Before the Rematch
Both men built their careers through domestic circuits before reaching the world level.
Their records show contrasting paths to the same ring. Here is how their careers compare before the rematch.
| Category | Daniel Dubois | Fabio Wardley |
|---|---|---|
| Pro debut | 2017 | 2017, after white collar bouts |
| First world title | WBA, 2022, stopped Trevor Bryan | WBO, 2026, after Usyk vacated |
| Signature win | Anthony Joshua, KO, 2024 | Joseph Parker, stoppage win |
| Notable loss | Oleksandr Usyk, twice | Daniel Dubois, TKO, May 2026 |
| Current record | 23-3, 22 KOs | 20-1-1, 19 KOs |
| Current status | Two-time world champion | Former WBO champion, seeking a rematch |
Their records show two very different roads that both led to a world heavyweight title.
The rematch will now settle who truly holds the edge between these two heavyweight punchers.
What Happens Next
Daniel Dubois’ next fight is shaping up to be one of the biggest heavyweight rematches of 2026.
Staying ahead of the news gives fans a real edge over casual followers.
Knowing the rematch clause, the target window, and both men’s records helps every update make sense the moment it breaks.
This fight will decide who truly holds the WBO title and settle unfinished business between two of Britain’s hardest hitters.
The clearest takeaway is simple: nothing is official until Queensberry names a date and venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Daniel Dubois’ Current World Heavyweight Ranking?
Daniel Dubois ranks first with The Ring and second with Box. Live at heavyweight, reflecting his win over Fabio Wardley for the WBO title.
How Tall is Daniel Dubois, and What is His Reach?
Daniel Dubois stands 6 feet 5 inches tall with a 78-inch reach, giving him a clear size edge over most heavyweight opponents.
Who Else Could Daniel Dubois Fight Besides Fabio Wardley?
Beyond Wardley, possible future opponents for Dubois include Zhilei Zhang, Martin Bakole, Agit Kabayel, and David Adeleye, according to recent boxing reports and rankings.
