Fabio Wardley triggers rematch clause after loss to Daniel Dubois
Fabio Wardley has triggered the rematch clause in his contract with Daniel Dubois following their dramatic heavyweight showdown in Manchester, reports BritPanorama.
Wardley surrendered his WBO heavyweight title on Saturday night after suffering an 11th-round stoppage defeat in what was widely hailed as an instant classic. The 31-year-old made a blistering start to the contest, flooring Dubois twice in the opening rounds and appearing on course to retain his belt. However, Dubois weathered the early storm and gradually turned the tide before forcing the referee to stop the fight late in the contest.
Promoter Frank Warren subsequently confirmed to Sky Sports that a contractual rematch clause had been included, and Wardley has now exercised his right to face Dubois again. The second bout is expected to take place later this year, with both fighters likely to renew their rivalry in one of the most eagerly anticipated heavyweight contests of 2026.
Warren praised the first encounter, describing it as “the best heavyweight fight I have ever put on.” Following the defeat, Wardley vowed to come back stronger as he aims to reclaim the title he lost in Manchester. “The boxing world knows my character, and Saturday night proved that without a shred of doubt,” he stated. “It was a fight for the ages, but I made some mistakes that I will rectify in the rematch.” Despite sustaining significant facial damage during the bout, Wardley did not require hospital treatment and is already recovering.
Dubois, meanwhile, enhanced his standing by surviving early adversity to produce one of the most impressive victories of his career. The Londoner is expected to defend his newly-won title against Wardley before considering future unification opportunities. Given the quality and intensity of the first meeting, a second fight between the two British heavyweights is likely to attract huge interest.
In the end, this clash has not only set the stage for a riveting rematch but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of heavyweight boxing, where fortunes can shift dramatically in just a few rounds.
