Dubois vs Wardley LIVE: Dubois obliterates Wardley in two rounds as towel thrown in

(Reuters)

Daniel Dubois finished Fabio Wardley inside two rounds to defend his WBO world title and stamp his mark as the man to beat at heavyweight.

Having been the one to succumb to an early knockdown in the first matchup, Dubois came out of the blocks in blistering fashion and sent Wardley to the canvas inside 17 seconds.

Dubois continued to pummel his rival and threatened to put him away as the opening round came to a close, Wardley’s trainer Ben Davison holding the towel seemingly ready to pull his man out before the Ipswich man was saved by the bell.

The punishment continued as the second round began, rocking Wardley with a sharp one-two before he was forced into a corner once again, with Davison this time throwing in the towel to seal Dubois’ triumph.

Follow live updates and results from Dubois vs Wardley 2, below.

Pinned

Daniel Dubois finishes Fabio Wardley in blistering fashion to fulfil rematch vow

Wardley’s trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel, five months on from being criticised for not pulling his man out against Dubois in the first match.

Will Castle as O2 Arena17 October 2026 23:21

Top 10 heavyweight fighters in boxing as Dubois destroys Wardley before Fury vs Joshua

Here, Independent Sport glosses over the contenders and ranks the fighters on both credentials and their present ability in the ring, as the division takes shape and hurtles towards another unification bout in 2027.

Will Castle18 October 2026 00:30

Results in full

WBO world heavyweight title: Daniel Dubois (C) def. Fabio Wardley via second-round retirement (2:21)

British and Commonwealth lightweight titles: Louie O'Doherty (C) vs. Michael Gomez Jr. declared majority draw (114-115, 114-114, 114-114)

Adam Olaniyan def. Dan Garber via second-round TKO (1:15)

Bakhodir Jalolov def. Solomon Dacres via unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 99-91)

Nelson Birchall def. Levi Giles via seventh-round TKO (0:51)

Prelims

Tony Curtis def. Kerim Agius via fourth-round TKO (2:57)

Zayn Ahmed def. Kasey Bradnum via first-round TKO (2:49)

Leighton Birchall def. Luis Vara Carrillo via unanimous decision (60-54)

Manny Safari def. Jake Pollard via fifth-round TKO (2:15)

Fawas Aborode def. Rashid Omar via fourth-round TKO (1:58)

Aaron Noriega def. Leonardo Baez via fourth-round TKO (1:41)

Issiah Hamilton-Allen def. Jensen Irving via unanimous decision (42-36)

Will Castle18 October 2026 00:00

And that's your lot

Dubois has left the building.

Will Castle17 October 2026 23:40

Dubois vs Itauma?

Frank Warren is asked of Moses Itauma could be a possible Daniel Dubois opponent if he gets through a comeback fight following defeat to Filip Hrgovic.

“He’s 21 years of age. He’ll have a comeback fight and I’m sure he’ll come through it and then we’ll have a look,” said Frank Warren.

Does Dubois want to face Itauma?

“I hope so. We can be dance partners, for sure.”

Will Castle17 October 2026 23:39

Dubois laughs off Hrgovic excuse

Filip Hrgovic said that his first fight with Dubois didn’t go to plan because he was ill.

“Did he really say that?” Dubois responds with a shake of the head and a laugh.

Will Castle17 October 2026 23:36

Dubois on whether he will take time off to celebrate

“Yes, but I want to carry the momentum,” he says.

“I will do but I ain’t thought about it yet.

Will Castle17 October 2026 23:33

Wardley corner right to throw in towel

Both Warren and Dubois think Wardley’s corner was “definitely” right to pull him out.

Will Castle17 October 2026 23:31

Dubois wants Usyk trilogy

“Definitely,” he says on a third fight with Usyk. “I’m coming out on top.”

Will Castle17 October 2026 23:29

Advice to Wardley

Dubois on any advice to Wardley on bouncing back:

“I know who I am and I refuse to give up so Wardley has to come back and try again. Whether or not he does that...”

Will Castle17 October 2026 23:28