The rematch

Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley meet again on Saturday, 17 October, at the O2 Arena in London, contesting the WBO heavyweight title in a rematch of their May fight. The BBC describes Dubois as the favourite, the more technically accomplished boxer with a better jab and a strong amateur pedigree. Their first meeting took place at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, where Dubois stopped Wardley in the 11th round and became a two-weight world champion. Wardley lost the WBO belt that night, the first professional defeat of his career. Ringwalks are expected at around 10.30pm BST, with the in-ring action to follow soon afterwards. A key question for the rematch is whether Wardley has fully recovered from the beating he took in May.

How the first fight unfolded

Dubois was knocked down early in the first bout, which the Guardian places 10 seconds in and the Independent places within the opening 20 seconds. He was dropped again in round three before recovering to beat Wardley in the 11th. The Guardian called it a wild brawl, and promoter Frank Warren compared it to "like a Rocky film". Dubois' jab was the key punch, setting up the right hand that did the damage, while Wardley struggled to set up his power punches. The Evening Standard noted that Dubois' mentality had been called into question before that fight, but he recovered to claim a second world title. Wardley now says he was guilty of overconfidence after almost stopping Dubois, calling his defeat "a victim of my own success".

Records and background

Both men carry heavy knockout power, with 41 knockouts between them in a combined 43 professional wins, according to the Guardian. Dubois has lost three times, once to Joe Joyce in an early-career upset and twice to Oleksandr Usyk. Wardley, an Ipswich man, rose from white-collar boxing to world-title level, and his only blemish besides the defeat to Dubois is a draw with Frazer Clarke. He later beat Clarke in round one of a rematch. The Guardian says Wardley has shown mental fortitude and durability on that rise, and both men will be tested again in this bout.

Undercard and schedule

Earlier on the card, emerging heavyweight Adam Olaniyan needed two rounds to beat Dan Garber, who was down several times before the fight was stopped. The next contest is Louie O'Doherty against Michael Gomez Jr. The Telegraph lists the main event for 10.30pm. The Evening Standard describes Dubois and Wardley as topping a star-studded bill in south-east London.