Daniel Dubois’ two-round demolition of Fabio Wardley has strengthened his position among the heavyweight elite and opened the way to potential unification fights with the division’s biggest names.
The 29-year-old stopped his British rival at London’s O2 Arena, retaining his title in a far more decisive performance than their thrilling first contest in May.
IBF champion Filip Hrgovic entered the ring after the fight to make his interest in a rematch clear. Dubois stopped the Croatian in June 2024, but Hrgovic has rebuilt his reputation since winning the vacant IBF title against British prospect Moses Itauma in August.
However, Hrgovic, 34, must first deal with mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez. Promoter Frank Warren is working towards staging Hrgovic’s first defence in Croatia early next year, which could delay a rematch with Dubois.
The biggest financial opportunity may be a fight with the winner of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua’s December meeting.
“All those names are there to do a unification fight next year and that’s what we’ll be working on,” Warren said.
Wardley has shown he can compete at world level, but Saturday’s defeat exposed a significant technical gap. A return against a lower-ranked opponent could help rebuild his confidence, although it remains uncertain whether he can make the adjustments required to challenge the division’s leading fighters again.
The Fury-Joshua contest has already shown its commercial appeal, with about 80,000 tickets selling out within an hour. The vacant WBA ‘super’ title will be at stake, according to Warren, potentially creating opportunities for unification fights in 2027.
WBA ‘regular’ champion Murat Gassiev has criticised that decision and wants the winner to face him, but that is unlikely to be an immediate priority for Fury or Joshua. Both are reportedly set to earn close to $100m (£75m) in December.
A rematch would bring another substantial payday, especially if the first fight is close or controversial. A one-sided defeat, however, could push the loser towards retirement.
Kabayel waits for his opportunity
Agit Kabayel has one of the strongest records in the division but remains relatively unfamiliar to casual fans. The unbeaten 34-year-old has stopped Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang.
Kabayel became WBC champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt and will make his first defence against Albania’s Nelson Hysa on 28 November. A unification fight with Dubois in 2027 could establish him as a much bigger name.
Usyk has vacated the WBA, WBC and IBF titles and wants one final contest before retiring. He defeated former kickboxing world champion Rico Verhoeven in May, while the Dutchman exceeded expectations before losing by a controversial 11th-round stoppage and calling for a rematch.
Verhoeven says he has accepted an offer to fight Deontay Wilder on the Fury-Joshua undercard, although Wilder has not agreed and has also been linked with Jai Opetaia. A third Usyk-Fury fight has also been discussed, despite Usyk having already beaten Fury, Joshua and Dubois twice each.
Itauma and the next generation
Itauma’s rise was halted by his first professional defeat against Hrgovic. The 21-year-old is expected to return in January, with Warren promising credible opposition rather than an uncomplicated confidence-building fight.
He must develop the stamina, pacing and tactical patience needed for 12-round contests before pursuing another world-title opportunity. A rematch with Hrgovic remains possible in the longer term, but there is no need to rush Itauma.
Elsewhere, Jarrell Miller remains highly ranked, while Jared Anderson and Richard Torrez Jr, an Olympic silver medallist, are rebuilding. Former world champion Joseph Parker is seeking a return after his provisional doping suspension was lifted in August.
Teremoana Teremoana has stopped all 12 opponents within two rounds, while two-time Olympic champion Bakhodir Jalolov extended his unbeaten record by beating Solomon Dacres on Saturday.
In Britain, 42-year-old Derek Chisora is considering another comeback and expects to face Gassiev in December. Richard Riakporhe is pursuing world honours after moving up from cruiserweight, while former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie is targeting a return after reaching an agreement with the WBC over an adverse drugs test finding.
With Usyk, Fury and Joshua nearing the ends of their careers, heavyweight boxing is entering a new era. The challenge will be bringing its champions together before mandatory defences, rematches and boxing politics intervene.
