Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch announced with date and venue confirmed

Five months removed from their barnstorming inaugural encounter, Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley are ready to do it all over again.

The British heavyweight titans run it back on October 17 at London’s O2 Arena for the WBO heavyweight title that Dubois snatched from Wardley in May.

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That night, 220 miles down the road at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena, Dubois picked himself up off the canvas twice to stop Wardley in the eleventh round.

Wardley now has the opportunity to exact his revenge after immediately activating the rematch clause in his contract.

The pair came face-to-face at the O2 on Saturday night moments before Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic made their way to the ring for their IBF heavyweight title tilt.

Dubois said: “I’m going for a dominant victory; I can’t wait. Let’s get it on. 

“When you get in the water, you are going to get wet; I love it.”

Wardley added: “It didn’t take long [to trigger the rematch]. The O2 is like a home away from home for me.  

“I’m looking forward to getting back to it. It’s going to be revenge. 

“Adjustments need to be made; I have done it before against Frazer Clarke. I’ve proven I can change.”

What are the experts saying?

Many, including two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi, were surprised to hear that Wardley was diving straight back in at the deep end.

Especially considering the hellacious beating he received in the final few rounds.

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Speaking during an appearance on talkSPORT Boxing’s Fight Night Daily podcast, ‘The Magic Man’ said: “I think Wardley is determined to get the title back, so he’s hungry.

“I think a fighter always wants that immediate get-back.

” It’s up to the management to decide if it’s in his best interest or not.

“From the outside looking in, I’m not sure. Maybe with Wardley, you might want to take one tune-up fight first before you get back into the rematch.

“But, you know, they’re going right back into it. Maybe Wardley wants it badly, and he’s going to get it.

“Unless Wardley catches Dubois, it is very difficult for me to be able to think that he’s able to make those kinds of adjustments.

“There’s just too many adjustments Wardley has to make.

“And I’m not sure he’s going to be able to make them in such a short amount of time.”

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