Daniel Dubois Targets Fury-Joshua Winner Ahead of Fabio Wardley Rematch
Daniel Dubois will defend his WBO World Heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena in London this Saturday, 17th October, as the two British heavyweights meet for the second time in just five months.
Their first encounter in May produced one of the most dramatic heavyweight fights of the year, with Dubois recovering from two knockdowns to stop Wardley in the eleventh round and claim his world title. With Wardley now seeking revenge, the rematch carries considerable significance for both fighters.
However, Dubois is already considering what could come next. The 29-year-old has expressed an interest in facing the winner of December’s highly anticipated showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, potentially setting up another major all-British heavyweight contest.
When Is Dubois v Wardley II?
The rematch takes place on Saturday 17th October 2026 at the O2 Arena in London, with Dubois defending the WBO World Heavyweight title he won from Wardley earlier this year.
The main card is scheduled to begin at 7pm BST, with ring walks for the headline fight expected at approximately 10:30pm. Timings remain subject to change depending on the length of the undercard.
What Happened When Dubois and Wardley First Fought?
The pair first met at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 9th May, with Wardley defending his WBO heavyweight crown against former IBF champion Dubois.
Wardley enjoyed an excellent start, knocking Dubois down twice during the early rounds and appearing capable of securing another significant victory. However, Dubois gradually took control of the contest, eventually forcing an eleventh-round stoppage to become a two-time heavyweight world champion.
Wardley suffered the first professional defeat of his career and subsequently exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch. The Ipswich fighter has maintained that mistakes contributed to his defeat and believes he can produce a different outcome when the pair meet again.
Dubois Sets His Sights on Fury and Joshua
Although his immediate focus remains on Wardley, Dubois has made his intentions clear regarding the winner of Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua, which takes place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday 11th December.
Speaking before the bout, Dubois welcomed the possibility of facing either heavyweight, declaring:
“If they feed me one of them, I’ll fight them.”
The Londoner subsequently confirmed that he would welcome a meeting with December’s winner, provided he successfully defends his title against Wardley. He has also suggested Fury could emerge victorious in Cardiff, potentially creating an opportunity for the pair to meet for the first time.
A rematch with Joshua would carry its own significance. Dubois famously stopped the former two-time unified heavyweight champion in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium in September 2024, producing one of the biggest victories of his career.
However, Fury would represent an entirely new opponent, with the two British heavyweights yet to meet professionally.
Could Saturday’s Winner Face the Fury-Joshua Victor?
Promoter Frank Warren has already outlined his ambition to arrange a fight between the winner of Dubois v Wardley II and whoever emerges victorious when Joshua and Fury meet in December.
Warren has confirmed that Fury v Joshua is set to be contested for the WBA ‘super’ heavyweight title, while Saturday’s rematch will determine who holds the WBO crown heading into 2027.
That creates the possibility of a world title unification contest next year, although no agreement for such a fight has been announced.
For Dubois, a second victory against Wardley would strengthen his position among the leading heavyweights and preserve his opportunity to pursue another major British contest. Wardley, meanwhile, could put himself into that same conversation by reclaiming his world title.
Who Is Fighting on the Dubois v Wardley II Undercard?
Several notable contests feature on Saturday’s supporting card, including a British and Commonwealth lightweight title bout between Louie O’Doherty and Michael Gomez Jr.
Two-time Olympic heavyweight gold medallist Bakhodir Jalolov will also feature, facing British heavyweight Solomon Dacres in another important contest. Elsewhere, Nelson Birchall meets Levi Giles at super-featherweight, while Tony Curtis takes on Kerim Agius.
The undercard provides an opportunity for several emerging fighters to compete on a major British boxing bill before the headline heavyweight rematch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Daniel Dubois v Fabio Wardley II?
The rematch takes place on Saturday 17th October 2026 at the O2 Arena in London.
What time is Dubois v Wardley II expected to start?
The main card begins at approximately 7pm BST, with ring walks expected around 10:30pm BST.
What happened in the first Dubois v Wardley fight?
Daniel Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley by an eleventh-round stoppage in May 2026, recovering from two knockdowns to claim the WBO World Heavyweight title.
Will Daniel Dubois fight the winner of Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua?
Dubois has publicly expressed an interest in facing the winner, while promoter Frank Warren has also discussed arranging the contest in 2027. However, any future fight remains unconfirmed.
When is Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua?
The fight is scheduled for Friday 11th December 2026 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with a proposed ring-walk time of 1am on Saturday 12th December, subject to local approval.
