Derek Chisora predicts Daniel Dubois will stop Fabio Wardley even earlier in their upcoming WBO heavyweight title rematch. The veteran heavyweight believes Wardley lacks the necessary strategic adjustments to change the outcome from their first fight, which Dubois won by 11th-round stoppage.
The two British heavyweights are set to fight again later this year for the WBO title that Dubois took from Wardley in May. In their initial encounter, Wardley started strong, dropping Dubois twice in the early rounds. But Dubois recovered and systematically broke Wardley down, targeting a vulnerability with his nose that ultimately shifted the fight in his favor.
Chisora questions what Wardley can do differently to reverse his fortunes. He stated the core issue remains unchanged. “What is Fabio Wardley going to do that is different from the first fight? This is what you have got to ask yourself. The same thing is going to happen, his nose is going to pop.”
Based on this analysis, Chisora forecasts a more definitive conclusion in the second bout. He also offered a blunt assessment of Wardley’s initial championship win. “I think that this fight, the rematch, will end earlier than before. I love Fabio, to come from white collar boxing to come in the game and become heavyweight champion [is amazing], but he didn’t win it, to be honest – he got it passed down.”
The former world title challenger believes Dubois proved he was the superior fighter when tested. “When he boxed a fighter who was on game, he lost. I love Fabio but I don’t see him troubling Daniel right now, again.”
The onus is now entirely on Wardley to evolve his approach if he hopes to reclaim his belt. Chisora concluded that without a new game plan, the result is inevitable. “He has to completely change something in his game to trouble Daniel. If he doesn’t change anything, he is not going to trouble Daniel.” The rematch is expected to be formally announced for a major London venue, potentially the O2 Arena or a football stadium.
