Fabio Wardley Ready for Dubois Rematch, Defends Corner Amidst Criticism

Fabio Wardley is preparing for a swift return to the ring against Daniel Dubois, a decision he defends while acknowledging the criticism his corner faced after their previous bout.

Wardley, who lost his WBO heavyweight title to Dubois in May, finds himself in the challenger's position once again. Despite the harsh punishment he absorbed in their first encounter, particularly in the later rounds where his right eye swelled shut, Wardley insists he is unfazed by the prospect of a rematch.

He stated that the underdog role is familiar territory for him, having faced similar expectations early in his career. "It's a side of the coin I'm very much used to, and the pressure's off," Wardley explained. "I'm the challenger here. I'm expected to lose and expected to go even quicker." He views this lack of external pressure as beneficial.

Wardley downplayed the impact of his first professional defeat, describing it as "not soul-crushing or devastating" and asserting that it has not fundamentally changed him as a person. He accepts that competing at the highest level of heavyweight boxing carries inherent risks and that an undefeated record, like that of Floyd Mayweather, was unlikely for him. "So, look, it comes how it comes. But as long as I'm happy with myself in terms of the performances, that I've given my all and all the rest of it, I can sleep at night."

The first fight between Wardley and Dubois was a dramatic contest. Wardley began aggressively, knocking Dubois down twice in the early rounds. However, Dubois recovered and eventually stopped Wardley in the 11th round. The severity of the punishment Wardley took in the latter stages led to scrutiny of his corner for not stopping the fight sooner.

Wardley defended his team, whom he considers family, asserting his trust in their judgment regarding his welfare. He also dismissed external opinions on the timing of the rematch, stating that only he and his team can accurately assess his recovery and readiness to compete again.

He acknowledged confronting the possibility of enduring similar punishment in the rematch. "The second I triggered the rematch clause, even before that, I had to have a conversation with myself and ask, 'This could go the exact same way. Are you ready for that? Are you OK with that?'" Wardley stated that having accepted this possibility, it is no longer a source of internal conflict.

Wardley described his mindset when absorbing punishment in the ring as one of immediate response rather than retreat. "All right, you took one… let your hands go. Don't just let them get away with it for free. At least let them know."

He also detailed his preference for tactical instruction from his corner during the 60-second breaks between rounds. "It's 90 per cent tactical, 10 per cent everything else," he said, emphasizing that compassion is not needed in those crucial moments. The priority is receiving the necessary information to continue the fight effectively.

Wardley remains committed to seeking out the biggest challenges in boxing, a pursuit he values over maintaining an undefeated record. His decision to pursue the Dubois rematch stems from an acceptance of the risks involved and a belief that it is a challenge worth undertaking.