FABIO WARDLEY and Daniel Dubois are set to run it back after the Ipswich warrior activated his rematch clause following their brutal Manchester bloodbath.
Wardley lost his WBO heavyweight title in dramatic fashion last Saturday night after being stopped in the 11th round by Dubois.
But despite suffering a disturbing beatdown in what promoter Frank Warren called the “best heavyweight fight” he has ever staged, Wardley, 31, has now triggered the clause for an immediate second showdown.
The Ipswich puncher stunned Dubois early in the fight, flooring the Greenwich Giant twice by the third round, including a knockdown in the opening ten seconds of round one, during a chaotic battle at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena.
Yet Dubois roared back through the pain to produce one of the performances of his career before forcing a late stoppage in a fight already being tipped as an instant heavyweight classic.
And Wardley insists the sequel will be even bigger.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “The boxing world knows my character, and Saturday night proved that without a shred of doubt.
“It was a fight for the ages, but I made some mistakes that I will rectify in the rematch.
“Congratulations to Daniel, but I’m coming for you… and my belt!”
Promoter Warren announced after the fight that there was a rematch clause in place before the opening bell rang in Manchester.
And Warren also told SunSport he expected Dubois to return before the end of the year as plans begin to form around the blockbuster rematch.
Warren said: “I think you’ll see Daniel by the end of the year.
“And as for Fabio, he’s got some bad cuts, he needs to rest up, spend some quality time with his family.
“He’s got a newborn daughter. So forget about boxing for a little while. And then when he’s ready, he’ll make his mind up.”
Wardley has ignored the advice to step away, shifting back to a boxing mindset just six days after the world title war.
Despite needing an extended break following such a brutal contest, he is already looking ahead, with the rematch expected in late 2026.
