Fabio Wardley back in training, Daniel Dubois rematch happens ‘when Fabio is ready’

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Fabio Wardley back in training, Daniel Dubois rematch happens ‘when Fabio is ready’

Fabio Wardley’s manager Michael Ofo has given an update on his fighter’s condition and upcoming rematch with Daniel Dubois.

The two heavyweights treated fans to a thriller in May, knocking lumps out of each other from the first bell, with Wardley in particular showing freakish toughness throughout. Wardley, having had Dubois down twice early on was then bloodied and bruised from Dubois attacks, and was eventually saved by the referee after 11 hellacious rounds.

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Wardley handed over his WBO heavyweight title to Dubois and, in the days following the bout, triggered his right to a return.

“No news [on when the rematch will be], but we’ve activated the rematch,” Ofo told BoxingScene. “I’ve spoken to Fabio. Fabio’s excited to be in such a fight again, knows the mistakes that he made, and wants to get it back in blood.

“Again, I think it’s down to when Fabio wants to take it. He’s resting at the moment. We have activated the rematch, so it will happen in due time, and I can guarantee that Fabio will be 100 per cent when that fight does happen.”

Reports suggested there was a deadline in place for when the rematch must take place.

“Yeah, and it’s in favour of Fabio. So there’s no rush,” said Ofo. “I’ve heard people say it’s going to happen within three months. It’s not going to happen within three months. It happens when Fabio’s ready.”

The first contest, which will surely win Fight of The Year, was a tough watch at times due to the punishment that Wardley was taking and the injuries to his face. Wardley seemed to stumble around at times with blood spewing profusely from large gashes above Wardley’s eyes and to his nose.

However, Ofo explained that the injuries looked worse than they were.

“He came out of the ring. Numerous doctors saw him backstage. He wasn’t concussed. There was nothing broken,” Ofo said. “No nose broken, no fractures. It was purely just the cosmetics. So it’s just blood, which his nose always goes. So yeah, he’s resting up, healing, and he’s actually been doing a little bit of training. So Fabio’s fine.”

Wardley’s training team of Ben Davison and Rob Hodgins were criticised for allowing Wardley to fight for as long as he did. So, will they be in the corner for the rematch?

“That decision’s down to Fabio, but I think Fabio’s very happy with the team,” said Ofo. “Fabio was always responding. So as much as I got some of the criticism, I didn’t get it, because if you know and you’ve watched Fabio’s fights before, he’s always responding.

“It’s a heavyweight world title fight. It’s one of the best fights we’ve ever seen. So when I see people complain, I just think, just weirdos. You want somebody to give it 100 per cent. And I think as long as the fighter’s responding and he’s going back to the corner and the team are able to assess him and see where he’s at, then yeah, I respect their judgment.”

Wardley’s early success in the first encounter might actually have worked against him, says Ofo.

“I think where he got him so early, I think that the mindset just shifted a little bit, and he knows the mistakes that he made, and those are mistakes that he can correct,” he said. “Daniel Dubois is a very tough, tough fight, but this is the kind of fight that Fabio asks for. Fabio asks for a tough fight. Fabio wants to be in these kind of wars where he’s going to win some, and potentially he’s going to lose some. Unfortunately, he lost, but let’s see what happens in the next one.”

Wardley’s record in rematches currently stands at 1-0. Following another bloody war, a 2024 draw with Frazer Clarke, Wardley won the sequel in the opening round.

“Listen, I’m pretty certain that he’s going to get [the WBO title] back. Look at when he fought Frazer Clarke the second time,” Ofo said. “Totally destroyed him. So I think that it’s going to be a devastating performance from Fabio when they meet again. But I’m going to say that because I’m always going to back Fabio Wardley. I’m in the Fabio Wardley business.”

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