Dubois retains the heavyweight title after a commanding victory over Wardley
The boxer defeated his compatriot by technical knockout in the second round
The British boxer Daniel Dubois retained his World Boxing Organization heavyweight title after a commanding victory over Fabio Wardley by technical knockout in the second round. This fight, held at London’s O2 Arena, was dubbed by many as the "fight of the year" and ended with a fierce attack from the champion.
In the first round, Dubois needed just 17 seconds to send his compatriot to the canvas with a right hand over the guard. That dominance was also evident in the second round: with 39 seconds left before the end, referee Steve Gray stopped the fight just as Wardley’s trainer, Ben Davison, was throwing in the towel.
Dubois (24-3, 23 KOs) thus achieved a devastating victory, with which he wanted to send a clear message to the rest of the fighters in the division. "It was my moment and this is my era," Dubois told the AP news agency. "We just had to go out there and show that we meant business; that was exactly what we did."
'This marks the second defeat in Wardley's professional career (20-2-1, 19 KOs). "It's never pleasant to lose, but it is what it is. That's this sport," Wardley said.'
