Daniel Dubois retained his WBO heavyweight title with a second-round TKO victory over Fabio Wardley at The O2 Arena in London. The win positions Dubois for potential unification bouts or a trilogy against Oleksandr Usyk.
Daniel Dubois retained his WBO heavyweight championship on Saturday, October 17, 2026, defeating Fabio Wardley by technical knockout in the second round at The O2 Arena in London. The victory marked the second time in five months that Dubois defeated Wardley, following their first encounter in May.
The bout began with immediate intensity. According to The Guardian, Dubois knocked Wardley down after just 17 seconds of the first round with a left cross followed by a right hand. This was the first time Wardley had been forced to take a count in his 23-fight professional career. MMA Fighting reported that referee Steve Gray administered a 10-count, and Wardley answered to continue the fight.
Dubois continued to pressure Wardley throughout the first round, landing significant punches while Wardley struggled to recover his footing. In the second round, Wardley attempted to counterattack but was overwhelmed by Dubois' offense. Wardley's corner, led by trainer Ben Davison, threw in the towel to stop the fight at 2 minutes and 21 seconds of the second round. The official result was recorded as a second-round TKO via corner retirement.
Following the victory, Dubois emphasized his determination. "I had bad intentions from the beginning and this is God’s victory tonight, we done well," Dubois said, as quoted by MMA Fighting. He added that his back was against the wall in the first fight and this bout was about "showing that we mean business."
Wardley, who suffered his second professional loss, acknowledged the outcome. "It’s never fun to lose – but it is what it is, it’s the name of the game," Wardley said, according to The Guardian. He noted that he tried to adjust his strategy but it did not work, adding, "I didn’t touch the canvas, so there’s a little bit of pride in that."
The win solidifies Dubois' position at the top of the heavyweight division. Promoter Frank Warren stated that there are several unification options available for the WBO champion. IBF champion Filip Hrgovic, who was in the crowd, entered the ring for a face-off with Dubois. Hrgovic suggested he be ready to fight in March, noting that Dubois had handed him his first professional loss in 2024.
Dubois also expressed interest in a trilogy fight against Oleksandr Usyk, whom he has lost to twice. "Definitely, definitely – I'd love that," Dubois said regarding a potential Usyk fight, according to Yahoo Sports. "We're coming out on top this time. We've made our mistakes and we're coming out on top."
Other potential opponents mentioned include WBC champion Agit Kabayel and the winner of the upcoming Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight scheduled for December 11. Warren stated, "The name of the game is to get all four belts," indicating a path toward undisputed status for Dubois.
This victory confirms Daniel Dubois as the leading British heavyweight and a dominant force in the global division. By decisively stopping a durable opponent like Wardley in two rounds, Dubois has silenced doubts about his ability to finish fights quickly. The result sets the stage for high-profile unification bouts in 2027, potentially leading to an undisputed heavyweight championship. For Wardley, the loss raises questions about his next steps, with a rebuild against lower-ranked opposition likely before any further world title challenges.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to a five-year, $209 million rookie contract extension with forward Brandon Miller, making him the second-highest paid player from the 2023 NBA Draft class.
SportsTrending
Aaron Boone will return as the New York Yankees manager for the 2027 season, entering the final year of his contract. The decision follows a 93-68 regular season and an ALDS sweep by the Tampa Bay Rays.