Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley will renew their rivalry later this year with their heavyweight world title rematch now officially announced.
The British pair first met in May at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, where Dubois survived two early knockdowns before gradually taking control and stopping a battered and bruised Wardley in the 11th round to claim the WBO heavyweight world title.
Wardley, who remained on his feet throughout, activated the rematch clause in the aftermath, having suffered the first defeat of his professional career, and promoter Frank Warren had repeatedly stated that a second meeting was being targeted for the autumn.
That rematch has now been made official by Queensberry Promotions, landing at London’s O2 on October 17.
IT’S OFFICIAL 🚨
Daniel Dubois & Fabio Wardley are confirmed to run back their heavyweight thriller 💥
Sign up for tickets alerts here: https://t.co/Ftk9BjJta9#DuboisWardley2 | Oct 17 | The O2, London | DAZN pic.twitter.com/GRUkTFCIUJ
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) August 29, 2026
For Dubois, the fight represents the first defence of the WBO belt he ripped away from Wardley, while his rival gets an immediate opportunity to reclaim the title and avenge the only loss on his record.
The rematch adds another significant fight to a rapidly changing heavyweight landscape, with several of the division’s major belts now split between different champions following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate all of his belts.
