Boxing
Darren Barker: Wardley deserves credit for triggering Dubois rematch after brutal war
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In his latest exclusive column for DAZN News, Darren Barker runs the rule over Fabio Wardley's decision to face Daniel Dubois again after dropping the WBO world heavyweight title to his fellow Brit in a brutal encounter.
I'm sure many people around Fabio Wardley asked whether he wanted a little tune-up before facing Daniel Dubois again.
But you've got to give a massive pat on the back and credit to Fabio for saying he wants the rematch next.
He dropped Dubois in a couple of rounds in Manchester — and he’s got a hell of a chance of regaining that WBO title.
This is the nature of the beast. This is boxing.
He showed a lot of heart, courage and desire and will to win. It didn't go his way, but he believes he’ll get it right next time, so fair play to him.
It was arguably the most brutal fight I've ever seen. It became very one-sided, although you always felt Fabio had a chance to catch Dubois. It was so entertaining.
I think the opportunity to regain your heavyweight title in the next fight is just too great to sidestep. But yeah, fights like that take years off your career.
By the way, what stadium doesn't the rematch bang out? It's going to be one hell of a scrap.
Ahead of facing Wardley, Dubois still had those question marks over him from the Joe Joyce fight and the second bout with Oleksandr Usyk.
But for me, if he’s up for it, both physically and mentally, he’s very, very tough to beat.
Queensberry Promotions
We saw that against Jarrell Miller — and Filip Hrgovic must have caught him with about 20 right hands. He kept coming, kept coming, kept coming, so I knew it was there.
I've seen it first-hand, right up close and personal. Before that fight [with Wardley], it was just a case of which Dubois was going to turn up.
If he was up for it, I knew he had a great chance. It makes him a more dangerous fighter now he's exorcised those demons.
Every time he puts himself through those scenarios and comes through with flying colours, the defeats to Joyce and Usyk become more distant memories.
As a two-time heavyweight champion, he should be flying high now. And he'll go into the rematch with full belief that he can get it done earlier.
Darren Barker was speaking to Gavin Glicksman
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