- Daniel Dubois defends his WBO heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley at The O2 in London on Saturday 17 October, live on DAZN pay-per-view at 24.99 pounds
- Dubois is a 3/10 favourite with Wardley at 16/5, though Wardley's price has been shortening with several bookmakers
- I am picking Dubois by late stoppage, but Wardley's power means this is a far more dangerous fight than the odds suggest
Dubois v Wardley 2: Fight Week Begins
Right then. We are into the final week before one of the best domestic heavyweight fights of the year. Daniel Dubois defends his WBO heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley at The O2 in London on Saturday 17 October, and the build-up kicks off on Wednesday with a free public open workout at Old Spitalfields Market at 5pm. The press conference follows on Thursday, with the ceremonial weigh-in at Old Spitalfields on Friday, and main-event ring walks expected around 10.30pm on Saturday. It is live on DAZN pay-per-view at 24.99 pounds.
What The Odds Say
The bookmakers have Dubois at 3/10, with Wardley at 16/5 and the draw at 39/1. Dubois by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification is the shortest of the method prices at 8/13. Here is the interesting bit: Dubois has barely moved from somewhere between 1/4 and 3/10, but Wardley's price has been shortening at William Hill, Betfred, Sky Bet and Paddy Power. Money is coming for the underdog, and I understand why.
Why Wardley Is Dangerous
Let's not beat around the bush: Wardley hurt Dubois badly in the first fight. He put him down in round one and again in round three, and for a while it looked like Dubois was in real trouble. Wardley is 20-1-1 with 19 knockouts, he is 6ft 5in, and when he lands, men go. Wardley has said there are zero excuses for the first loss and that he plans to finish it early. If he catches Dubois cold, that is exactly how this ends.
Why Dubois Is The Pick
But Dubois got up, regrouped and stopped Wardley in round 11 in Manchester, and that is the part I keep coming back to. Dubois is 23-3 with 22 knockouts, and he is a two-time world heavyweight champion. He says his camp has gone more smoothly this time, and a puncher with that kind of power is proper dangerous at any stage of a fight.
There is also the turnaround. Wardley took a hell of a beating in May and has had only a few months to recover. That matters, and I think it shows late.
My Prediction
Dubois by stoppage in the second half of the fight, somewhere between rounds seven and ten. Wardley will have his moments, and I would not be shocked to see Dubois hurt again, but the champion has the better engine and the better recovery. Make no mistake, though: this is a coin flip with a loaded gun on either side. Back Dubois, but keep your seatbelt fastened.
Whoever wins, the heavyweight picture opens up wide. A convincing Dubois win keeps him firmly in the conversation for the biggest fights in the division, so keep an eye on Saturday night.