Daniel Dubois can take an immediate rematch against Fabio Wardley or fight Agit Kabayel next | Debate News
Fabio Wardley may decide to force an immediate rematch with Daniel Dubois after losing his WBO heavyweight title in a dramatic fight in Manchester.
Dubois was crowned the new WBO champion after climbing to the canvas twice to stop Wardley in the 11th round of a brutal all-English bout on Saturday night.
But promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that a rematch clause has been included in the fight’s contract, meaning Wardley could make a comeback fight after losing the WBO belt in his first defence.
“There is a repeat clause in the contract.” Warren said DAZN. “Don’t let the dust settle, there are many things happening in the heavyweight division [division] then we’ll see.”
Asked again about a possible rematch, Warren told Sky Sports: “It’s up to them.
“I can [like to promote a rematch] but I’d like to see them before they get a good rest, recharge their batteries and everything.”
Dubois was stopped by Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch last July, but any questions about his desire for a fight were answered with a win over Wardley.
“He showed what he’s all about,” Warren said. “He showed his heart and his fighting spirit
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Daniel Dubois has been praised by Fabio Wardley following an epic fight at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester for the WBO heavyweight title.
“It’s not the end of the world for Fabio. It takes two to make a fight like that and there were times when you thought Fabio might win the fight.
“He is ready to come back and he will come back, and we will be behind him and we will make sure we give him every opportunity.”
Dubois vs Kabayel for two world titles?
Agit Kabayel hopes to face Daniel Dubois who also has the WBC belt on the line
Agit Kabayel was watching from the ring and expressed his desire to face Dubois soon.
Co-champion Oleksandr Usyk holds the WBC title, but Warren believes the Ukrainian could be stripped of the belt if he doesn’t fight Kabayel after his next fight against Rico Verhoeven in Egypt on May 23.
“That’s his choice [if Usyk wants to fight Kabayel next],” Warren told Sky Sports. “If he doesn’t do that, he’ll have to give up the belt or take off his clothes.”
Warren, who also promotes Kabayel, admitted that the fight between the German-based striker and Dubois will be easy.
“It may be so, but Agit is next. The easiest way to do it – if he [Usyk] he wants to leave the belt, he [Kabayel] he can fight with the winner of this one.”
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Zak Chelli produced one of the shocks British boxing has seen for years as he came in short and knocked out Cuban fighter David Morrell. Fight highlights courtesy of DAZN.
Undefeated Kabayel retained his interim WBC title with a third-round stoppage of Damian Knyba in January and is set for a world title unification fight against Dubois.
“I’m the WBC No 1,” he told Sky Sports.
“First, I’m waiting for the situation from the WBC, Rico vs Usyk and after that we will show.
“If syk gives me a belt that I can’t fight with, the winner of this fight, why not?”
