With 41 knockouts between them from 43 wins, few expect the competition to go the distance.
Wardley, sporting Ipswich Town’s newly launched third kit with his name printed on the sleeve, still bore the scars of his crushing defeat in Manchester five months ago.
A cut on the bridge of his nose, first suffered during his 2024 draw with Frazer Clarke, reopened against Dubois and left his face severely swollen and bloodied.
The punishment he received has raised questions about whether his decision to take immediate revenge came too soon, but Wardley remains confident he can reverse the outcome.
“It’s just search and destroy now,” he said.
Promoter Frank Warren predicts a “blockbuster” 2027 for the heavyweight division, with lucrative fights awaiting Saturday’s winner.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will finally meet in Cardiff on December 11, while British hopeful Itauma is expected to return in January following his world title defeat to Hrgovic.
Warren confirmed there was no clause for a third fight between Dubois and Wardley, but the Queensberry Promotions boss refused to rule out a trilogy if the Ipswich fighter avenged the only defeat on his record.
“If that happens, it’s a natural fight,” Warren said. “That’s what’s so intriguing. Who will they fight next year? We want to find out who’s the best.”
Gn sports
