Daniel Dubois defends WBO title as Wardley’s corner throws in the towel

Daniel Dubois defended his WBO heavyweight title after a short but decisive fight at the O2 Arena in London, forcing Fabio Wardley’s corner to throw in the towel early in the second round. Wardley endured what observers called five minutes of punishment before his team stopped the contest.

Swift dominance and a corner stoppage

Dubois produced heavy, sustained shots from the opening bell and never allowed Wardley to establish a rhythm. The end came in the second round when Wardley’s corner concluded their man had taken too much and conceded the fight by throwing in the towel, handing Dubois another successful title defence.

The result reinforced Dubois’s standing among the top heavyweights after a rivalry that already produced a dramatic encounter in May — a fight that ended in the eleventh round with Dubois victorious. Following tonight’s outcome, Dubois’s record stands at 24 wins and 3 losses, while Wardley suffered only the second defeat of his professional career.

Filip Hrgović entered the ring after the contest, underscoring the interest in possible next opponents and matchups in the division. For Wardley, regaining a shot at a world title will now require a string of wins to rebuild his position.

Beyond the result, the bout reiterated the harsh realities of top-level boxing: when one fighter dictates the pace and keeps up relentless pressure, tough decisions by an opponent’s corner — prioritising their fighter’s health — can end a contest long before a scheduled distance.

Photo: press material from the event