Boxing: Dubois forces second-round stoppage of Wardley to retain WBO belt
Dubois controls the rematch
Dubois overwhelmed fellow British boxer Wardley in their world title rematch in London, retaining the WBO heavyweight belt with a second-round stoppage. Wardley, 31, was already under pressure in the opening round and took further punishment on the ropes before the bell ended it.
Dubois resumed the attack in the second. Wardley absorbed repeated punches until his corner threw in the towel, and referee Steve Gray stopped the contest.
Wardley seeks to return
Wardley had been promoted to WBO champion in November after Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine vacated the title. In their earlier meeting, Wardley was praised for his courage and persistence, but he struggled to match that performance on Saturday.
Wardley said he would aim to follow Dubois’s example of coming back after a setback. His record now stands at 20 wins and two defeats; Dubois has 24 wins and three defeats.
Possible next opponent
Dubois previously held the IBF title, which he lost to Usyk in London in July last year. He later took the WBO belt from Wardley and said he wanted a rematch with Usyk to regain his former title and rule the division.
IBO champion Hrgovic said Dubois was ready to fight him in March. Promoter Frank Warren indicated that Dubois might first have to consider other candidates.
Key points
- Dubois stopped Wardley in the second round to retain the WBO heavyweight belt.
- Wardley’s corner threw in the towel, and referee Steve Gray ended the fight.
- Dubois has 24 wins and three defeats; Wardley has 20 wins and two defeats.
- Hrgovic raised a possible March fight, while Warren mentioned other candidates.