Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: odds, prediction & start time

• Fight: Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley

• Weight class: Heavyweight (WBO title)

• Venue: O2 Arena, London

• Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

• Start time: Approx. 10.30pm (main event ring walks)

Five months on from one of the most dramatic heavyweight fights in recent memory, Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley renew their rivalry with the WBO heavyweight title once again on the line.

Their first meeting in Manchester had just about everything. Wardley dropped Dubois twice inside the opening three rounds and looked on course for a career-defining victory, only for 'Triple D' to regroup, settle behind his jab and gradually turn the fight around. By the championship rounds, Dubois was in complete control, eventually forcing an 11th-round stoppage after a brave but increasingly punishing evening for Wardley.

Despite the defeat, Wardley emerged with plenty of credit and perhaps even more belief. Few fighters have hurt Dubois as consistently as the Ipswich man managed in those opening rounds, and knowing he has already put the champion on the canvas twice gives him a route to victory that many heavyweight challengers simply do not possess.

Dubois, however, will draw confidence from a very different part of the contest. Having survived the most dangerous moments of the fight, he went on to dominate large periods of the action and showed the maturity to make adjustments under pressure. Having already climbed off the canvas twice to stop Wardley, the champion will feel he holds the psychological advantage heading into the rematch.

The result is a fascinating rematch between two heavyweight punchers who know exactly what the other is capable of. Wardley has already shown he can hurt the champion, while Dubois has already shown he can recover from those moments and still finish the job himself.

Wardley showed in the first fight that he has the power to trouble Dubois, dropping the champion twice inside the opening three rounds. However, once Dubois weathered the storm, the momentum gradually shifted and the fight became an increasingly uncomfortable watch for Wardley.

There's no questioning Wardley's toughness or punching power, and he'll fancy his chances of causing problems again if he starts quickly. However, Dubois has already proven he can survive a barrage and still take control of the contest. Having shared the ring with the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Filip Hrgovic, we're backing the champion's greater experience at the highest level to tell once again. With 22 of Dubois' 23 victories coming by knockout, we're predicting another stoppage win for 'DDD'. Although we'd love a trilogy.

Wardley vs Dubois prediction: Daniel Dubois to win by knockout

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.