Daniel Dubois faces Wardley rematch before Itauma collision

Daniel Dubois could face Fabio Wardley again before any clash with rising contender Moses Itauma, despite halting Wardley earlier this month to claim the WBO heavyweight championship.

A contractual rematch clause gives Wardley the right to force a second meeting, which promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports could happen as late as November 2026 or even 2027. "It's in the contract. If Fabio wants to do it, he can call it on," Warren said. Both fighters need extended recovery time after the brutal nature of their first encounter, which saw Dubois drop Wardley twice before stopping him.

Itauma waits as WBO mandatory contender

The rematch option complicates a more natural collision course with 21-year-old Moses Itauma, already installed as the WBO's No. 1 challenger. Warren acknowledged that a Dubois-Itauma fight appears inevitable but noted stadium scheduling favours a delay. "Them two would fill Wembley [Stadium] up," he said, per Sky Sports. "We're not going to be doing a Wembley fight in late November, early December."

Wardley's camp reportedly raised concerns about rough tactics and a premature seventh-round break by the referee, but Warren dismissed those complaints. "The one person who hasn't complained is Fabio," he said. He credited Dubois' jab, footwork, and distance management as decisive factors once the fight moved past the third round.

If Wardley activates the clause, the rematch would not land until late 2026 at the earliest, pushing any Dubois-Itauma clash into 2027 or beyond. Dubois is expected to return in November regardless of opponent.

Source: skysports.com