After a much-lauded triumph over Fabio Wardley, Daniel Dubois is now in possession of the WBO heavyweight world title, with a host of potential opponents being linked as challengers for an attempted first defence, leaving promoter Frank Warren with a difficult choice. Although, rival promoter Eddie Hearn has ‘no doubt’ as to who Dubois will next fight.
Dubois recovered from two knockdowns to defeat the brave Wardley by stoppage in the eleventh round to become a two-time world champion; revealing plans for a long reign during his post-fight interview.
Despite a gruelling battle just days ago, the world of boxing is already discussing what may come next for ‘Triple D’, with 21-year-old wunderkind Moses Itauma expected to be named as his mandatory challenger and former WBC ruler, Deontay Wilder, also being touted as a possible opponent.
However, in an interview with iFL TV, Hearn explained why he believes Wardley and his team will trigger their rematch clause – the existence of which has already been confirmed by Warren – thus forcing a second fight with Dubois.
“I think he [Wardley] will have to [activate his rematch clause]. Unfortunately, in this situation, I have been there before, when AJ [Anthony Joshua] got stopped by [Andy] Ruiz.
“Everyone was like, ‘you can’t do that, his confidence will be shot, he needs another fight in between’, but it’s like, you get one opportunity with that rematch clause or it is gone.
“So, with Fabio Wardley right now, he has got a straight shot at the world heavyweight title. Now, don’t get me wrong, physically, that was a really tough fight and I think that it is going to be a very dangerous rematch, but he can win the rematch. He can.
“I think that he is an underdog, but he can win that and I think that, if that is the case and you can win the world heavyweight title, providing that you are okay physically, then I think you have to roll the dice. I have no doubt that they will do the rematch clause.”
Whilst Wardley has been advised to take time to recover both physically and mentally, no major injuries were suffered in Saturday’s fight, meaning the 2026 Fight of the Year frontrunner could be revisited sooner than first thought.
