All-British heavyweight battle set for a part two.
There is nothing quite like a heavyweight boxing match. It’s been said many times before–and it will be said many times again–but the biggest men possess the biggest punches, providing for a degree of excitement and unpredictability that you don’t quite get with matchups in any other division.
People like Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and George Foreman are the most iconic people in the sport’s history and have taken part in the most iconic fights. To put it simply, even a non-boxing fan can see the appeal in a heavyweight fight.
It happens to be that a heavyweight battle is what many people are considering to be the frontrunner for the best fight of 2026, that being the WBO heavyweight championship contest between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois.
The all-British contest was a meeting of two huge punchers, and it delivered in the most violent way when they collided this May.
Dubois was dropped early in the first, then again two rounds after. And given his perceived reputation for capitulating under adversity, many believed the writing was on the wall.
However, Dubois came back to hurt and rock Wardley repeatedly, landing full-blooded punches on his opponent, who just refused to go down.
By the time everything was halted in the 11th round, Dubois stood as the victor, and Wardley–somehow–also stood, his iron chin having been on display for all to see.
It is believed that the two will run it back once more on the 17th of October, once again at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.
The Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch has a working date of Oct 17th and is expected to take place at the Co-op Live in Manchester, The Ring understands 🇬🇧
Dubois stopped Wardley in a thriller in May to claim the WBO heavyweight title. Wardley activated his rematch clause. pic.twitter.com/OsUiTXDSVq
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) August 7, 2026
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