The stage is set for October 25 in O2, where Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley collide in the fight in bulky weight, which contains the consequences of breaks. In Glazers Hall, a press conference that opens both men in the spotlight, but the earlier words of Parker in the camp show, where his head really is.
Frank Warren spelled this: “Why is this fight so significant? Because you have two guys who do not have to fight. Both are these masters. Usyk is not for 90 days … If he does not fight them, the winner can be announced a champion. For the winner it will be all, and for a loser there will be nothing.”
Parker: “Going towards the fire? I love the fire“
Parker did not refrain from ironing: “walking towards the fire? I love fire. I fought many fighters who are huge punchers and were unable to pull me out, so recognize Fabio Wardley for this fight.”
But switch to his interview from the bottom you hear the same indefinite way of thinking. After escaping Usyk: “This is a fight I want and it is a fight that makes sense, because it has all the lanes. But if it is not a fight in front of you, then you will simply focus on what will happen next. It was beyond my control. The only thing I could control was training in Novel Zealand.”
And why he took Wardley instead of waiting: “I wanted to fight. I wanted to be busy. I had one fight in 2024, only this year with Martin Bakole. I need more fights. The only way to progress is to combine all this on the night of fighting. I need time on the ring.”
Parker doubled at a press conference: “There are levels. They say that there are levels in boxing and I believe that I have experience that I have and where I worked in Novel Zealand, I have a good base and I am excited to see what I can do in the ring.”
Wardley: “This will be a decisive moment”
Wardley, undefeated and stubborn, treats it as his party. “It will be a huge moment in my career, probably a decisive moment. I am involved in this saying” only great fights “because I did not come here to have fun. I didn’t get so far in my career that I just just lie down and wait for me to give me something. “
He praised Parker’s position, but refused to play the second violin: “When Oleksandr Usyk was at the moment, there is no better competitor in the division now than man No. 2 Joseph Parker. People may still have reservations and questions, so October 25 is a place where I can spotless it all, beating Joseph Parker.”
Ko Wardley’s statistics were not unnoticed. Parker admitted: “The most tough striking I have now encountered because he has the highest percentage. He can do it to him, I can do it to him. Now it is a matter of who intends to carry out this plan.”
My opinion – Parker vs Wardley result
Loan, where it is due: Frank Warren gave the right fight here. Two fleeting masters, a real threat, without hiding, without waiting. In today’s heavyweight scene, this is uncommon – and deserves respect.
Wardley says a good game and believes. But Parker was from Joshua, Whyte, Chisora, Zhang, Wilder – the wardley fire is warmer than anything he saw before. Parker is right: there are levels. Wardley never fought in it.
Can Fabio break him? Of course. But Parker has Nous, chin, engine and time. If Parker controls the pace, then his fight for losing. My phone? Parker by knockout in the middle rounds. Too experienced, too pointed, too experienced. Wardley will find out that the levels matter.
Amy Kaplan is a box of boxing since she was 10 years elderly, which means that she spent most of her life, explaining to people that yes, they really prefer nights of fighting at parties. Now, writing to Boxing News 24, it covers everything from the fight for the title of world champion to perspectives swinging as at the day of payment. It combines acute analysis with sarcasm, calling for boxing policy and crossing the spin with the release of the press to give fans stories that actually matter.
Tony Bellew is going against the grain for tonight’s Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch.
The pair meet again just five months on from their thrilling first encounter, with Dubois now WBO champion having won the belt from Wardley via eleventh round stoppage.
After surviving two early knockdowns, the Londoner – who is now in his second stint as heavyweight titlist – took over the contest with a solid jab setting up thudding attacks that exhausted Wardley.
Though the Ipswich man stayed on his feet throughout, referee Howard Foster waved it off as the punishment because too much.
It is how the fight ended, and those last few rounds in which Dubois was largely dominating, that make him a strong favourite to retain his belt.
Giving his prediction to the BBCformer cruiserweight world champion Bellew backed Wardley to have success early again, but capitalise fully this time and end it.
“I’m going to be the difference. I am going to back Fabio Wardley by knockout within six rounds. Yep, I said [it]. I’m going for Fab within six.”
Dubois was on the canvas within ten seconds last time out, and took a knee in the third when hurt again.
Bellew has questioned Dubois’ resolve in the past, pointing to his stoppage loss to Joe Joyce as proof that there is a point he can be pushed to that he is not willing to go beyond. Many, however, will look to the first Wardley performance and disagree.
Both men recorded the highest weights of their careers on the scalessuggesting that neither will be changing the gameplan to a more measured affair, rather looking to engage in round 13 from the off tonight at London’s O2.
Top trainer Peter Fury has offered his expert analysis on the rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley, believing it is still a 50/50 fight.
Others, meanwhile, will argue that Dubois should be made a considerable favourite, based on how he was able to dismantle Wardley in their first encounter.
In order to do so, the ‘Dynamite’ puncher was compelled to climb off the canvas in rounds one and three, having been put down by blows to the top of his head.
Proceedings then became a little one-sided as Dubois, utilising his fundamentals, managed to score an 11th-round finish with his thudding jab and superior footwork.
Wardley, however, wasted little time before activating the rematch clause in their contract and, in turn, securing the chance to reclaim his WBO title at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow evening.
Many will argue that such a swift turnaround could lead to his downfall while, due to his power and toughness, others would suggest that the 31-year-old is always dangerous, no matter the opponent standing across from him.
As such, coach Fury has told Boxing King Media that, while Dubois is rightfully brimming with confidence, it would be foolish to entirely dismiss Wardley’s attributes.
“I think it’s a great heavyweight fight – Dubois has got heavy hands and a good jab as well, so it’ll be interesting.
“You’ve got to say Wardley’s got it all to do, because the confidence of Dubois will be high. And if Dubois’ super confident, he’s a problem.
“But let’s see – Wardley was able to hurt Dubois early on. I still think that fight is a 50/50 fight.”
If he emerges victorious against Wardley, then Dubois will likely be targeting a unification match with Agit Kabayel or Filip Hrgovic in 2027.
Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley in a rematch of a heavyweight slugfest from earlier this year, with Dubois defending the WBO heavyweight title he took from Wardley on that night.
Live coverage will kick off at 2 pm ET, and we’ll have results and updates during the four-fight, main card undercard, then live, round-by-round scoring and updates for the main event itself.
How to watch Dubois vs Wardley 2
Start time: 2:00 pm ET for main card, prelims begin at 11:00 am ET
Streaming: DAZN (Ultimate subscription or Pay-Per-View)
PPV Cost: As a standalone, one-off purchase Pay-Per-View, the price is $59.99 (or £24.99). With DAZN’s Ultimate tier, the show is included as part of your subscription.
Location: O2 Arena – London, England
Dubois vs Wardley 2 full undercard and running order
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