Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic weren’t the only heavyweight contenders at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, August 29.
- Update: Wardley, Dubois set for rematch on October 17, 2026, at O2 Arena in London
- Significance: Wardley, Dubois fight for WBO heavyweight title after Dubois beat Wardley by TKO in May.
Moments before Filip Hrgovic and Moses Itauma fought for the IBF Heavyweight Championship, another highly anticipated heavyweight bout was announced. Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley have reportedly agreed to fight for the WBO Heavyweight Championship on October 17, 2026, at the O2 Arena in London.
“[Negotiations] didn’t take long at all. The O2 is like a home away from home for me,” Wardley told DAZN, according to ESPN. “Looking forward to getting straight back into it. Going to be a rematch and going to be revenge.”
The revenge Wardley seeks stems from his most recent fight against the now two-time heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. On May 9, 2026, Dubois overcame two early knockdowns to stop Wardley in the 11th round of a grueling heavyweight clash.
“[Recovering from two knockdowns] does [shut up a lot of naysayers about my heart],” Dubois said after the fight. “I know I’ve got heart — bundles of heart. I’m a warrior in there.”
Not only did Dubois become a two-time heavyweight champion, but he also handed one of the hardest punchers in boxing his first pro defeat. Now, he must do it again as he looks to “clean up” the division.
“Another dominant victory and amazing performance,” Dubois said on Saturday. “I can’t wait. Let’s get it on.”
