LONDON — Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley have successfully weighed in ahead of their WBO heavyweight title clash at The O2 Arena in London this Saturday. The pair meet in a highly-anticipated rematch, five months after their initial encounter in May, which saw Dubois recover from two early knockdowns to secure an 11th-round knockout victory.
At Friday's weigh-in, Dubois tipped the scales at 253.9lbs, slightly heavier than the 251.75lbs he recorded for their first meeting. Wardley, meanwhile, arrived at a career-heaviest 248.3lbs, an increase from the 242lbs he weighed in May. Both fighters expressed confidence during their final pre-fight addresses, with Wardley stating, “I draw confidence from the first fight. The success I had with the knockdowns. I just need to capitalise better. Revenge, Fabio Wardley, knockout win.”
Dubois, who enters the ring as the defending champion, remained focused on the task ahead. “I know what to expect. I’m ready to go out there and do my job,” he said. “I’m ready for whatever comes on Saturday. I’m ready to go to war.”
The winner of this weekend’s fixture could position themselves for future unification bouts, with WBC champion Agit Kabayel and IBF champion Filip Hrgovic having already declared interest in facing the victor. Further heavyweight opportunities may arise as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua prepare to meet for the vacant WBA ‘Super’ title in Cardiff on 11 December.