Daniel Dubois has said he wants a rematch with Filip Hrgovic after he brutally stopped Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena.
Dubois and Wardley were fighting for the second time this year after the two heavyweights collided for the WBO world title back in May, which the latter held. Dubois claimed the belt at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester in a thrilling encounter, which saw Dubois knocked down inside the first 16 seconds and then again in the third round before roaring back to record his own stoppage victory in the 10th.
Second-Round Stoppage
This time, it was the London fighter’s turn to explode out of the blocks, knocking his Ipswich-born opponent down in the corner in 17 seconds before raining down blow after blow on the challenger, who looked immediately wobbly on his legs. Wardley was saved by the bell, making it back to the stool, but he was beaten comprehensively in the second, with his corner throwing the towel in to spare him more misery.
Dubois retained the WBO title he won in Manchester a few months ago, and now, the Briton is eyeing a unification fight in a bid to claim another of the division’s crowns.
Hrgovic’s Challenge
The Croatian Hrgovic, fresh off his victory over British prodigy Moses Itauma in August, was ringside to spectate, and was invited into the squared circle after the fight by Queensberry promoter Frank Warren. The IBF champion exchanged words with Dubois, challenging the WBO belt-holder to a rematch.
The pair have fought before, with Dubois handing Hrgovic the only defeat of his 22-fight career, with an eighth-round TKO in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, back in 2018.
Fighter Quotes
“It was an easy night for Daniel. A quick win. He’s ready to fight me in March, right Daniel?” Hrgovic said in the ring. “I want to have a rematch, I want to get that belt back and rule my division,” Dubois responded.
Before that, Dubois was asked who he was eyeing in the division following his double victory over Wardley. "Whoever is next in line, really. I'm the champion now, and I want to get some big fights in. At this stage in my career, big money, big fights."
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are set to collide in Cardiff in December, while Itauma is also looking for a new opponent as he seeks a return to winning ways following his defeat by Hrgovic.
