British heavyweight boxing rivals Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley are preparing to meet again on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as Dubois puts his World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title on the line in a highly anticipated rematch at The O2 Arena in London.
The fight comes five months after their first encounter in Manchester, where Dubois overcame two knockdowns before securing an 11th-round stoppage victory to take the WBO heavyweight championship from Wardley.
The rematch gives Wardley an immediate opportunity to reclaim the title, while Dubois will aim to retain his belt and strengthen his position among the leading heavyweights in world boxing.
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When Is Dubois vs Wardley 2?
Dubois vs Wardley 2 will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at The O2 Arena in London, England.
The main card is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. British Summer Time (BST), while the main-event ringwalks are expected at approximately 10:30 p.m. BST. The exact time may change depending on how long the undercard fights last.
For viewers in Nigeria, which shares the same time as the United Kingdom during October, the main card is expected to start at 7 p.m. Nigerian time, with the headline fighters expected to enter the ring at around 10:30 p.m.
The event is being promoted by Queensberry Promotions, with the WBO heavyweight championship at stake.
What Happened in the First Dubois vs Wardley Fight?
Dubois and Wardley first met on May 9, 2026, in Manchester, England, in a contest that produced several dramatic momentum shifts.
Wardley initially put Dubois under pressure, knocking him down twice during the fight. However, Dubois recovered and continued to land damaging punches as the contest progressed.
The fight ended in the 11th round when Wardley was unable to continue under the sustained attack, prompting his corner to throw in the towel.
The victory gave Dubois the WBO heavyweight title and handed Wardley the first professional defeat of his career.
Wardley subsequently activated the rematch clause in their agreement, setting up the second meeting in London.
Their first fight raised questions about whether Wardley could make the necessary adjustments and whether Dubois could produce another strong performance against an opponent who had previously troubled him.
Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Records and Weight
Both fighters compete in the heavyweight division, which has no upper weight limit under standard professional boxing rules. Their official weights for the rematch will be established at the fight-week weigh-in.
Daniel Dubois
Dubois enters the rematch as the reigning WBO heavyweight champion. The London-born boxer has established himself through major heavyweight contests and previously held the IBF heavyweight title.
His record was listed as 23 wins and three defeats ahead of the rematch, with 22 of his victories coming by knockout.
Dubois will be looking to defend his championship after the victory in their first meeting. Another win would strengthen his standing in the heavyweight division and keep him involved in the wider world-title picture.
Fabio Wardley
Wardley enters the contest as the challenger seeking to regain the WBO heavyweight title.
His record before the first fight was 20 wins and one draw, with 19 victories by knockout. The defeat against Dubois in May was the first loss of his professional career, leaving his pre-rematch record at 20 wins, two defeats and one draw.
Wardley has built his career through an unconventional route into professional boxing, progressing without the extensive amateur background associated with many elite fighters.
He now faces the challenge of reversing the result against the champion who stopped him in their first encounter.
Note: These are the fighters’ records before the rematch, not results from October 17. Official fight-week records and weigh-in figures should be checked for any final updates.
Dubois vs Wardley 2: Full Undercard
The event features several additional bouts across different weight divisions, including a heavyweight contest involving Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov.
The announced card includes:
- Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley — WBO heavyweight championship.
- Louie O’Doherty vs Michael Gomez Jr — British and Commonwealth lightweight titles.
- Bakhodir Jalolov vs Solomon Dacres — heavyweight contest.
- Nelson Birchall vs Levi Giles — super-featherweight contest.
- Tony Curtis vs Kerim Agius — super-flyweight contest.
- Leighton Birchall vs Luis Vara Carrillo — featherweight contest.
- Fawas Aborode vs Rashid Omar — lightweight contest.
- Manny Safari vs Jake Pollard — featherweight contest.
- Adam Olaniyan vs an opponent to be confirmed — heavyweight contest.
- Aaron Noriega vs an opponent to be confirmed — super-featherweight contest.
- Zayn Ahmed vs Kasey Bradnum — super-featherweight contest.
- Issiah Hamilton-Allen vs Jensen Irving — middleweight contest.
The undercard is subject to change, and some opponents or bout arrangements may be updated before fight night.
The O’Doherty-Gomez contest adds domestic title stakes to the programme, while the Jalolov-Dacres bout provides another heavyweight matchup for fans following the division.
How to Watch Dubois vs Wardley 2 in Nigeria and the UK
The fight is scheduled to be available through DAZN’s pay-per-view service.
In the United Kingdom, reported viewing options include DAZN pay-per-view, with the event listed at £24.99, as well as eligible DAZN Ultimate subscription arrangements. Availability and pricing may vary by country and subscription package.
Nigerian viewers should check the DAZN website or app for local availability, the applicable price and payment options before fight night.
Fans who cannot watch the live broadcast can follow fight updates and commentary through established sports news outlets. talkSPORT has also announced live radio coverage, beginning at 7 p.m. UK time on talkSPORT 2 before moving to talkSPORT at 9 p.m.
The main-event ringwalk is expected at around 10:30 p.m. Nigerian time, although the schedule could shift depending on the undercard.
What Is at Stake in the Rematch?
The main prize is the WBO heavyweight championship, currently held by Dubois.
For the champion, victory would provide another successful defence against the man he defeated to win the belt. It would also help maintain his position in a heavyweight division where several fighters are competing for major championship opportunities.
For Wardley, the rematch represents a chance to correct the result of his first meeting with Dubois and regain the world title. He will need to demonstrate that he can respond differently to the champion’s pressure while managing the risks that come with facing a powerful heavyweight puncher.
Their first encounter showed that both men could hurt each other, but Dubois ultimately secured the stoppage. Whether Wardley can change the outcome or Dubois can repeat his success will be decided in the ring.
Dubois vs Wardley 2 is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at The O2 Arena in London, with the WBO heavyweight title on the line.
The main card is expected to begin at 7 p.m. Nigerian time, while the main-event ringwalk is anticipated at around 10:30 p.m. Fans can follow the contest through DAZN where available and through live coverage from established sports broadcasters.
With the result of their first meeting still fresh, the rematch will determine whether Dubois can retain his championship or Wardley can reclaim the title.
Sources: The O2 official event listing, The O2 event page, and The Independent’s fight guide.
