In October 2026, London will host the WBO heavyweight world championship rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley. Both boxers are British, and their first bout already determined the belt holder: Dubois secured the victory, and now both sides are preparing for the second round of their rivalry. Official Queensberry promotional materials announcing the fight under the tag #DuboisWardley2 record the participants' weights at 253.9 lbs and 248.3 lbs for Dubois and Wardley, respectively. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of both heavyweights and a prediction for the rematch outcome is provided by analyst Oleksandr Chepylko in an article by Sport RBC.UA.
Limited Boxer vs Versatile Challenger
According to Chepylko's assessment, Wardley is "a significantly more limited boxer." The analyst has known him since sparring sessions with Oleksandr Usyk and has seen his early professional fights in Riyadh and London live. The conclusion: he is facing "just a big guy, as heavyweights go," lacking a "super-punch" and special "tricks." Wardley takes punches only relatively well—in exchanges similar to those in his first fight with Dubois, he could no longer withstand them. It is precisely this limitation, in the author's view, that makes him vulnerable in the rematch.
Physical Superiority and Dubois's "Brain Power"
Dubois, by contrast, is characterized as a physically stronger and more versatile boxer. He has "fairly fast hands for a heavyweight" and "basically has a punch." Chepylko calls his "focus on the result" a key advantage: Dubois sees what needs to be done and does just that without getting distracted. At the same time, the analyst notes that Dubois still lacks boxing IQ—and adding "brains" would make him a "strong top tier" fighter, potentially capable of claiming more than one belt.
The Coach Factor: Don Charles
Chepylko views Dubois's coach Don Charles—a well-known and authoritative British mentor who is "approaching 60"—as a separate argument in the champion's favor. Charles is renowned as a psychologist capable of "pulling the strings" so that his charge boxes correctly. This work on psychology and tactics, according to the analyst, strengthens Dubois's position ahead of the title rematch.
Prediction: Early Victory for Dubois
Chepylko's final conclusion leans toward Dubois winning the rematch. Given the class of the heavyweight division and the course of the first fight, the analyst believes the second bout "will most likely end early again." This forecast coincides with the opinion of other experts: in particular, former world champion Carl Froch also named Dubois the favorite for the rematch. Thus, a stable consensus is forming around the London fight in favor of the current champion, although the bout itself, like any heavyweight title fight, retains the risk of an unexpected scenario.
