After an instant heavyweight classic earlier this month, Fabio Wardley will seek to avenge his defeat to Daniel Dubois and recapture the WBO world title. Eddie Hearn, who promoted Wardley earlier in his career, has shared his thoughts on the rematch.
Wardley scored two early knockdowns against Dubois in his first defence of the WBO crown after being elevated to world champion. Dubois recovered and took charge, dishing out plenty of punishment before the fight was stopped by referee Howard Foster in round 11.
Many fans and experts believe Wardley would take some time away from the sport in order to recover, but the Ipswich fan-favourite has instead triggered his contractual rematch clause to force a second encounter with ‘Triple D’.
Speaking with Boxing News, Matchroom promoter, Eddie Hearn, explained why he believes Wardley ‘has done the right thing’.
“I think that he has done the right thing. It is easy to criticise and I have been there before, ‘AJ’ is a classic example, specifically after the [Andy] Ruiz fight, it was very one-sided after he [Joshua] got dropped and everyone said ‘don’t take the rematch first, do this, do that’.
“You have, on your plate and in your hand, a shot to win the world heavyweight championship. After that fight, and specifically after the damage [he suffered], Fabio is an underdog in that fight, but he can win. He can win that fight and, if you have a chance of winning that fight, for me, I think that you have to take it.
“So, good luck to him and I wouldn’t rule him out either. Like I said, I think that Daniel, this time, is a big favourite in the fight, but I wouldn’t rule Fabio Wardley out in this fight.”
“He needs to make adjustments, Usyk said it today, where was the jab? But you’re talking about a guy with little experience over a period of time, so what he is doing is incredible, but he is always live and he is always dangerous.”
It is believed that Dubois-Wardley 2 will take place before the end of the year, with the clash potentially landing in a stadium.
