The Abuja Times

Daniel Dubois Retains WBO Heavyweight Title with Second-Round Knockout of Fabio Wardley

In a decisive rematch at the O2 Arena, Daniel Dubois overwhelmed Fabio Wardley, securing a second-round knockout to retain his World Boxing Organization heavyweight crown. The victory elevates Dubois' record to 24 wins, with 23 knockouts, solidifying his status in the heavyweight division.

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The Abuja Times

Sun, 18 Oct 2026• 2 min read
Daniel Dubois Retains WBO Heavyweight Title with Second-Round Knockout of Fabio Wardley
Daniel Dubois Retains WBO Heavyweight Title with Second-Round Knockout of Fabio Wardley — The Abuja Times Newsroom

In a stunning display of power and skill, Daniel Dubois successfully defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title by delivering a crushing second-round knockout to fellow Briton Fabio Wardley on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. This highly anticipated rematch followed their earlier encounter, which ended in an 11-round battle earlier this year, but Dubois showcased a different level of dominance this time around.

The fight began explosively, with Dubois, standing at 6 feet 5 inches, dropping Wardley just 17 seconds into the first round with a massive overhand right that caught the challenger off guard. Throughout the opening round, Dubois maintained relentless pressure, landing punches at will, while Wardley struggled to defend himself, often finding himself pinned against the ropes.

As the second round commenced, Dubois continued his onslaught, unleashing a flurry of punches that left Wardley in a perilous position. After two minutes and 21 seconds into the round, with Wardley unable to mount any effective defense, his corner threw in the towel, conceding the bout in favor of Dubois. This impressive victory improved Dubois' professional record to 24 wins, 3 losses, and 0 draws, while Wardley fell to 20 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw.

“I felt great in there tonight. I knew I had to come out strong and set the pace, and I did just that,” Dubois stated in the post-fight interview, reflecting on his performance.

This victory not only reaffirms Dubois' position in the heavyweight division but also sets the stage for potential future title defenses as he aims to solidify his legacy in boxing.

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