Daniel Dubois don show say na him be Britain heavyweight number one after e retain im WBO title with serious second-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley for London. For di rematch wey sell out O2 Arena, Dubois drop Wardley with straight right after just 17 seconds and continue to attack am without mercy.
Wardley survive first round, but another sustained attack for second round overwhelm am, and im corner throw towel. Na second time in a row Dubois stop Wardley, five months after e climb up from canvas twice to dethrone im British rival for one thrilling 11-round fight for Manchester. Dis time no drama: champion dominate from opening bell.
Dubois, 29, now get 24 wins, 23 by knockout, and three defeats. Wardley, 31, suffer second defeat for im 23-fight professional career. Sell-out crowd of 19,000 pack O2 Arena and make their allegiance clear. Wardley popular personality and determination show as e take time on stage with fireworks, but Dubois greet by jeers as e march straight to ring.
Actor Paddy Considine, comedian Rob Beckett, Oasis star Noel Gallagher and darts world champion Luke Littler na some of di famous faces wey attend. With 41 knockouts between di fighters, few people expect judges to decide di fight.
Before di fight, feeling be say Wardley best chance na fast start, because e drop Dubois inside opening moments of their first meeting. But na reverse happen: Dubois back Wardley into corner and land straight right, and chants of ‘oh Fabio Wardley’ quickly silence as Dubois continue to unload punishing combinations. Another furious attack near end of first round leave Wardley in deep trouble. Trainer Ben Davison, wey people criticise for not withdrawing Wardley sooner for first contest, stand with towel as Wardley survive to bell.
Dubois talk afta di fight: “Fabio is a great boy, coming in for the second time, but it was my time and my era. I had my intentions, bad intentions from the beginning. My back was against the wall the first time, this time we just had to go out there and show that we mean business, which is what we did tonight.”
Before di fight, concerns dey over whether Wardley return too quickly after di punishment e absorb for first fight.
