Like Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley has scored impressive wins of his own.

After a brutal draw with Frazer Clarke, Wardley knocked him spark out in the first round of their rematch.

In wins over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker, Wardley looked beaten but the KO artist pulled it out of the bag.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Fabio Wardley
Former World Champion on DAZN

I’m just eager now. I’m eager to get into the ring, I’m eager to show off all the things that I have been working on in the gym, eager to get in the ring, and eager to get my belt back.

BBC Sport

Here is another call for the BBC Sport live watchalong.

Journalist Nick Peet, British heavyweight champion Richard Riakporhe, and BBC Sounds' Punch Perfect hosts Liam Gough and Emily Eubank are the team we have with us tonight.

The stream will get going around 10 minutes before Daniel Dubois v Fabio Wardley and you can watch at the top of this page, on BBC iPlayer, BBC YouTube and BBC Sport's TikTok channels.

Daniel Dubois' WBO world heavyweight title is at stake over 12 three-minute rounds.

It will be the first defence of his second reign as a world champion.

Dubois previously held the IBF heavyweight title before losing his rematch with Usyk in July 2025.

Fabio Wardley became WBO champion after being elevated from interim champion but lost the belt to Dubois in his first defence.

The WBO belt is now one of four major heavyweight titles, which are held by four different fighters.

Dubois holds the WBO belt, Agit Kabayel is WBC champion, Filip Hrgovic has the IBF title and Murat Gassiev is recognised by the WBA as its world champion.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at O2 Arena, London

Keep an eye on the bridge of Fabio Wardley's nose tonight.

It was badly cut during his first fight with Frazer Clarke. Against Dubois, there was blood pouring down his face as Wardley absorbed a frightening amount of punishment.

He insists the injuries looked worse than they were but there's always the concern that an old wound could reopen, particularly against a heavy-handed opponent with a jab like Dubois'.

Are we all excited for the main event?

We aren't too far away now!

BBC Radio 5 Live

Fabio Wardley’s trainer Rob Hodgins on 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce: "I think the more the [first] fight went on, Daniel’s ring IQ was brilliant. Daniel is a great fighter and we know that he is a very confident fighter.

"When he starts to improve in a fight, which you saw against [Filip] Hrgovic, he hurt Hrgovic. Hrgovic got the cut, and when he picked up on that. Our job is to make sure that Daniel questions himself. And we stick to our plan and stick to what we do.”

Image source, Getty Images

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

I thought it was unfair criticism of the referee last time, to be quite honest. If you remember, the two previous fights for Fabio Wardley were against Joseph Parker, weren't they, and Justis Huni.

He's behind in both of them, going late into the fight. He was under the cosh and taking big shots, but he came through and knocked them both out. The referee knows that and we all know that he's one of the hardest men in boxing.

It just visually looks so bad. So I think that's unfair criticism. I think, though, having said that, it will definitely impact how the referee looks at it. But it's difficult to pull a man out if, yes, he's taking shots, but he's still standing on his feet and he's still throwing back.

Fabio Wardley hit the scales in yesterday's weigh-in at 17st 10lb (112kg) - a career heaviest.

What does this tell you? Is he going for an early knockout?

"I draw confidence from the successes I had in the first fight - getting knockdowns in the first and third," Wardley said.

"I need to capitalise on those moments better. I'm ready to put on a cleaner performance."

Image source, Getty Images

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

After the first fight, I said that it was the most brutal fight I have witnessed from ringside, and after a fight like that, I wouldn't be surprised if they had taken off a year out of the game. You know, to lick their wounds and to let their bodies heal. It was an incredible battle, and for them to get back in the ring after five months is an incredible achievement

Carl Frampton
Retired world champion to BBC Sport

I think it's going to be a repeat scenario, and it may even end earlier. I'm not trying to be disrespectful to Wardley but when you're involved in those types of fights and are on the end of a beating like he was, sometimes you're not the same when you come back.

His nose doesn't look like it's recovered. The only way for Wardley to win is to throw the kitchen sink at Dubois for the first three or four rounds. That gives him a chance. But the longer it goes on, Dubois' jab will do damage and Wardley's nose will be damaged again.

Wardley is extremely tough but that can sometimes be your downfall. We've seen it in the last fight and in his previous fights. He's been in some wars and that takes something away from you.

I see Dubois winning between rounds seven and 10.

Prediction - Dubois

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at O2 Arena, London

It's a fair question.

Fabio Wardley took an extraordinary amount of punishment against Daniel Dubois in May. His face was badly damaged, one eye almost completely shut, and there were genuine concerns for his safety before the fight was stopped in the 11th round.

Five months isn't a particularly long turnaround after a battle like that.

Wardley insists he has recovered and is ready. He's also proved he can make adjustments between fights, producing a stunning first-round knockout of Frazer Clarke after their bruising draw in 2024.

But Dubois is another level of opponent. This is a massive gamble.

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Radio commentary from London has started on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds - you can listen live at the top of this page.

The coverage will switch over to BBC Radio 5 Live for the main event at 22:00 BST.

Stacey Copeland presents the live coverage, with Ronald McIntosh as lead commentator, while Steve Bunce and former super-middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall provide co-commentary.

Carl Frampton
Retired world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think that they are a dream partnership, Daniel Dubois and trainer Don Charles.

I think Don was really important in getting Daniel to change, and telling him to get back on the jab. In my opinion Daniel Dubois has the best jab in the heavyweight division. It’s a ram-rod, it’s a hurtful shot, and he uses it really well. I don’t think Fabio can deal with it and his own jab is non-existent.

Maybe that was because of the success [Wardley] had early when he knocked him down, and thought all I need to do is throw this right hand again. [Fabio Wardley] neglected his own jab after those knockdowns.

As we all know, this is the second time we'll be seeing Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley go toe-to-toe but will this one be better than the first?

This begs the question: what films have been better the second time around?

My shout is Shrek 2.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Fabio Wardley’s longtime trainer Rob Hodgins, speaking about what Fabio Wardley has learned from that first fight on 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce: “With Fab, we go through the good points as well as the bad points, and there was a lot of bad points in the fight where he didn’t stick to the corner, when the corner was saying.

“I think when he landed that shot in the third round, I think he should have looked to the corner a bit. Ben, Lee, and Lee were talking to him. [I'd advise him] just have a little look to the corner if you get that knock down, make sure you stick to the plan if you do drop him early. He hasn’t changed much; he just needs to stay disciplined.”

The two big lads are expected to make their walk to the ring at 22:30 BST but we all know that could all change if things are running behind.

Less than an hour to go.