Fabio Wardley says he has triggered a clause for an immediate rematch with WBO heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.
Dubois survived two early knockdowns to dethrone fellow Briton Wardley with an 11th-round stoppage in Manchester on Saturday. Both fighters are signed to Queensberry and promoter Frank Warren confirmed after the bout there was a rematch clause.
“The boxing world knows my character, and Saturday night proved that without a shred of doubt,” Wardley said on Sky Sports. “It was a fight for the ages, but I made some mistakes that I will rectify in the rematch. Congratulations to Daniel, but I’m coming for you and my belt.”
Wardley, who rose from the white-collar boxing scene to world champion inside 10 years, lost for the first time as a professional. The 31-year-old enjoyed early success against Dubois, but had a badly damaged nose and heavily swollen eye when the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Warren – a veteran of 45 years in the sport – described it as “the best heavyweight fight” he has promoted. Victory marked a return to the top of boxing’s glamour division for Dubois, who became a two-time heavyweight champion.
The 28-year-old previously held the IBF belt but lost that title against Oleksandr Usyk in July 2025. Dubois has won 23 of his 26 fights as a professional – losing twice to Usyk and once against Joe Joyce.