Dubois and Wardley reach career-heaviest weights before WBO title rematch

Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley came in at career-high weights ahead of their WBO heavyweight title rematch. Dubois weighed 253.9lbs for Saturday’s fight, surpassing the mark he had set before their first meeting. Wardley came in at 248.3lbs. Dubois sees the figures as a sign that both men are looking to hit hard: « That means we're both going for power in this fight. »

The Briton made clear that he is ready to get back to work: « I'm ready to go, ready for my job, » he said. He also described this fight as a step he needs to take to reach bigger goals. His trainer, Don Charles, says Dubois focuses once a fight date is set. Charles values that intensity and says Dubois has no outside distractions.

Charles also says his team is preparing for a better version of Wardley. He wants them to anticipate that improvement and avoid any complacency. Wardley, meanwhile, expects the same kind of battle. He said the prospect of a hard fight motivates him, and that he knew what he was taking on as soon as he activated the rematch clause.

Their first meeting ended with Wardley being stopped in May. Dubois won that contest, but Wardley chose to activate the contractual rematch clause in an effort to win back his title. The stakes could extend beyond their bout: Wardley believes the winner could move on to unification fights in a division with several champions holding world titles. He named Agit Kabayel and Filip Hrgovic among the possibilities and said he has no particular preference.

Promoter Frank Warren pointed to the confidence of both fighters and their belief that they have each other figured out. He said their punching power would make the fight exciting and predicted it would not go the distance. Wardley, for his part, says he wants to hold all the belts and has no personal grudge against any potential opponent.