Key points:
- Frank Warren expects an official announcement for Daniel Dubois’ rematch with Fabio Wardley within the next two weeks
- Wardley’s camp activated the rematch clause within two weeks of losing to Dubois in May
- Dubois retained his WBO heavyweight title with an 11th-round stoppage of Wardley on May 9
- The fight’s winner could be lined up to face Moses Itauma next
Daniel Dubois’ rematch with Fabio Wardley is close to becoming official, according to promoter Frank Warren, with both camps working through final logistics before a date is confirmed.
“He’s good. He’s in a good place. He’s been ticking over,” Warren told The Stomping Ground. “He said he can’t wait to get back in, and we’re hopefully going to announce that date next week, the week after.” Dubois hasn’t fought since stopping Wardley in the 11th round on May 9 to retain his WBO heavyweight title at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena.
Warren confirmed Wardley’s team moved quickly to secure the rematch. “They called it on, I think, within two weeks of the fight taking place,” he said. “It’s just all we’ve been doing is working out the logistics and getting the date sorted out.” Wardley earned the opportunity through a rematch clause despite suffering the first loss of his career, and will need to correct the tactical mistakes that cost him the first fight, relying too heavily on power shots while neglecting his jab, without a tune-up fight to test any adjustments beforehand.
The stakes reach beyond the two men involved. The winner has already been floated as a future opponent for Moses Itauma, adding extra weight to a fight that’s technically still just a voluntary rematch on paper.