Daniel Dubois Stops Fabio Wardley in Second Round to Retain WBO Heavyweight Title

Daniel Dubois retained the WBO heavyweight title with a second-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley in their rematch at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, October 17.

Referee Steve Gray stopped the fight at 2:21 of the second round after Wardley’s trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel, according to The Ring’s ringside report. Dubois improved to 24-3 with 23 knockouts.

Dubois knocked Wardley down with a right hand 17 seconds into the opening round. The challenger beat the count but continued to absorb punches, making it through the first round before his corner ended the contest in the second.

The fast start reversed their first meeting in Manchester on May 9. Wardley had put Dubois on the canvas after 16 seconds that night, but Dubois recovered to win the WBO belt with an 11th-round stoppage.

Wardley said afterward that the timing of the rematch had not been the problem and credited Dubois’ preparation. Saturday’s result gave Dubois two consecutive stoppage wins over Wardley, with his first title defense completed in less than two rounds.