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After Joshua, Paul became interested in fighting UFC’s Pereira

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When Jake Paul’s fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis was canceled following the revelations of the WBA lightweight champion’s latest legal troubles, the social media influencer turned boxer was determined to land a modern opponent before the end of 2025.

According to reports, there were several potential opponents in the works, but Paul got into a fight with former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and the two will meet on Friday at the Kaseya Center in Miami, live on Netflix.

“I didn’t expect the Joshua fight to happen this year,” Paul told ESPN about his selection process. “But the plan was always to fight Gervonta Davis and then Anthony Joshua, so we pushed the fight ahead of schedule.”

However, Paul revealed that he was very close to securing a fight against undisputed three-division champion Terence Crawford instead of Joshua, with the only obstacle being the adjustment of event schedules.

“It was very close to being Crawford and not Joshua,” Paul said. “It really came down to timing and wanting to promote the Crawford fight properly. Maybe we’ll do it in 2026 and adjust the schedules because we were so close to making that fight. It’s a huge fight, and when I beat Joshua, it’ll be even bigger.”

However, on Tuesday, after Paul’s speech, Crawford announced he was leaving boxing.

Crawford was one of several fighters Paul told ESPN was on his updated “hit list” of opponents he wanted to fight. He posted his first “hit list” on social media in 2021 and has fought six of his 12 desired opponents so far. Both Joshua and Crawford are on the updated “hit list,” but one other name that was considered for the December fight that wasn’t on his list was former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

An offer was made for Ngannou to face Paul shortly after losing the fight to Davis. However, Ngannou told TMZ that he refused and felt “disrespected” by the idea of ​​getting into a boxing ring with Paul.

“It’s not about the number,” Ngannou said. “I’m not interested. It doesn’t make sense.”

Paul told ESPN he was “surprised” that Ngannou, who lost a split decision to Tyson Fury in October 2023 and was knocked out by Joshua in March 2024, refused to fight him.

“I was definitely surprised, but the players are not very astute people, especially Francis Ngannou,” Paul said. “When he sees that I’m better than him against Joshua, it’ll be obvious what an idiot he is. He screwed up and I think he realizes it now.”

Paul didn’t want to look too far ahead with a fight against Joshua just around the corner, but he did mention another name that was on his “hit list”: UFC delicate heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Pereira is the only MMA fighter on Paul’s modern list. However, this may prove to be his toughest fight considering he is still under contract with the UFC and Paul still has a public rift with UFC CEO Dana White. However, with White entering the boxing industry with Zuffa Boxing in 2026, perhaps there is a glimmer of hope that Paul-Pereira’s success will finally be achieved.

“[Dana being a boxing promoter] it definitely makes this fight easier to make,” Paul said. “But I don’t know if the UFC will ever allow one of their MMA fighters to have a boxing fight again. I hope so, and I would be thrilled if they did. But ultimately, I don’t think it’s good for their business to lose one of their superstars to a Disney baby.”

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Peter Fury Shares Final Thoughts on Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: I Still Think That

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Peter Fury Shares Final Thoughts on Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: "I Still Think That"

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.

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Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

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Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

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

Live Stream: Dubois vs Wardley 2 Prelims

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Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance

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"Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance"

Fabio Wardley can turn his early success against Daniel Dubois into a rematch victory if he avoids exhausting himself chasing the finish. He proved he could hurt Dubois in their first fight. The harder task is keeping control when an opponent he has dropped continues coming forward.

Wardley scored two early knockdowns before Dubois recovered and stopped him. That leaves an opening for a different result, although better pacing alone may not be enough to prevent another punishing night.

Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora both back Wardley to win again on Saturday, with Mannix choosing him by stoppage. Mora believes Wardley’s eagerness to finish Dubois helped undo his promising start.

“If he just doesn’t punch himself out, he thinks about setting up that right hand, doesn’t get right hand happy,” Mora said to DAZN Boxing.

That is the adjustment Wardley needs to make under pressure. Once Dubois survived his biggest punches, Wardley needed something beyond another loaded right hand. Working behind his jab and putting punches together would give him more ways to attack without spending everything on a single finish.

Dubois deserves credit for surviving those knockdowns and returning to his jab. Mora believes his previous defeats helped him stay composed when Wardley hurt him. Wardley now has his own experience of a fight turning against him.

“I think he’ll be smarter after this fight. I think he’ll learn some lessons,” Mannix said. “I think Wardley wins by stoppage in this fight.”

Mannix’s biggest concern is what the first beating took out of Wardley. Learning the tactical lesson does not guarantee he will absorb Dubois’ punches the same way in the rematch.

Wardley’s power gives their picks a credible foundation. He has already put Dubois down twice. To complete the job, he needs to create another opening without allowing the pursuit of a knockout to leave him exhausted and exposed again.

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Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

Watch Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 on DAZN

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