RUN IT BACK: DUBOIS-WARDLEY SEQUEL SET FOR OCTOBER 17

THE CURRENT CHART-TOPPER in the list of leading Fight of the Year contenders is set for an eagerly awaited sequel on Saturday October 17 when The o2 will stage the WBO world heavyweight title showdown between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley, live on DAZN.

Back in May up in Manchester, Wardley was making his first defence of the WBO title he effectively secured with his success over Joseph Parker in October 2025. He was upgraded from Interim to full champion shortly afterwards.

This time around, following the absolute thriller at the Co-op Live, it is Dubois making his first defence against Wardley. The Londoner is now a two-time world heavyweight champion, having previously held the IBF championship belt.

The capacity crowd in Manchester witnessed Dubois being put to the canvas by the Ipswich favourite in the first 10 seconds of the fight, before being felled again in the third round.

But the resolve of Dubois was not to be broken and he bludgeoned his way back into the battle, taking control of the fight from the fourth round. However, no matter how much Wardley was wobbled, he refused to go down, but did sustain heavy punishment and it took the 11th round intervention of referee Howard Foster to close the show.

As Wardley was the champion making a voluntary defence, he had the right to call on an immediate rematch and the clause was invoked short order following his first career defeat.

‘Run It Back’ will be the hottest ticket in town on October 17 and the biggest arena in the capital will be full to bursting for what is the most exciting heavyweight match-up that can be made in boxing.

Tickets will be on sale this Friday via AXS.com

“Running this fight again was Fabio’s call, but I believe public demand would have seen in made in any event,” said promoter Frank Warren. “The first fight was an old fashioned barnstormer and so many people told me it was the best and most exciting fight they had ever seen.

“It is a privilege to be able to stage this fight again and it will be the third world heavyweight title fight we have put on in this country this year, which is pretty good going and emphasises our determination to keep the heavyweight division firing on all cylinders.

“The o2 has just hosted a spectacular heavyweight event and we haven’t got to wait too long for the next one! Tickets will be at a premium so don’t miss out.”