The next fight for Daniel Dubois is shaping up to be a straight WBO heavyweight title rematch with Fabio Wardley — and the champion is not hanging around. Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs) is already back in training, with insider Darshan Desai reporting that October 17 is a possible date for the second meeting. Nothing has been officially confirmed.
Dubois stopped Wardley in the 11th round of a gruelling first fight in Manchester on May 9, but it was far from one-way traffic. Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KOs) dropped Dubois twice early before the champion clawed his way back, took over in the second half and forced the finish. This time, Dubois is preparing for a very different opponent.
What’s next for Daniel Dubois
Wardley exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch rather than take an interim bout, and a training photo posted alongside a fresh group of sparring partners hints at tactical changes to come. In the first fight he loaded up, swung wildly and left himself open to counters; a more disciplined, jab-first Wardley would hand Dubois a tougher puzzle to solve.
That is exactly why Dubois has started camp early rather than leaning on what worked in May. The quick turnaround cuts both ways: as Boxing News 24 reports, former two-weight champion Paulie Malignaggi has questioned whether five months is enough for Wardley to recover physically and rebuild.
The date is unconfirmed, but the shape of the rematch is clear. If October 17 holds, Dubois gets the chance to repeat his result before Wardley has time to reinvent himself — and the winner has been tipped to move towards the heavyweight division’s hottest names. Boxing News 24 notes the announcement could come as early as next week.
