Welcome to Telegraph Sport’s dwell protection of Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley.
When Wardley dragged himself out of the ring at Manchester’s Co-Op LIVE Enviornment, the bodily harm was apparent, however the psychological sting was far deeper. Wardley had Dubois severely damage early on, flooring the Londoner twice and teetering on the verge of a career-defining stoppage. As an alternative, he let the knockout slip away, allowed Dubois to search out his rhythm, and was in the end damaged down and halted within the eleventh spherical – surrendering his WBO heavyweight belt in a dramatic comeback victory.
Now, simply 5 months after that gruelling night time, the 2 heavyweights meet once more at London’s O2 Enviornment in an instantaneous rematch that carries doubtlessly large implications for all the division.
For Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KOs), the choice to set off his rematch clause was instantaneous. Dismissing issues over the extreme punishment he absorbed down the stretch, the Ipswich man is motivated fully by redemption and the assumption that his early success proved Dubois is beatable.
Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs), nonetheless, views issues very otherwise. Coming into as The Ring’s No. 1 heavyweight contender and a confirmed two-time world champion, Dubois has dismissed Wardley’s energy, claiming his rival “punches like a child” and insists Wardley threw away his one and solely likelihood at glory in Manchester.
With Oleksandr Usyk approaching the ultimate chapter of his profession and the Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury blockbuster looming simply eight weeks away, this London conflict is way over a private grudge match. The winner gained’t simply stroll away with the WBO strap; they may stake an simple declare because the torch-bearer for the heavyweight division’s subsequent period if they will land one other title combat in brief order.
