Tony Bellew goes rogue with outrageous Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley prediction

Former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has put forward an outrageous prediction ahead of Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley’s rematch at the O2 Arena.

The pair last fought in Manchester back in May, with Dubois miraculously recovering from two knockdowns to land a dramatic 11th-round stoppage and win the WBO world title.

The defeat was the first of Wardley’s professional career. Between them, the pair have 41 knockouts on their records, meaning fans could be in for a firefight in London.

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Who does Tony Bellew think will come out on top?

The majority of spectators are backing Dubois, given his superior experience, having shared the ring with world-class operators Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.

Meanwhile, Wardley, who left his recruitment job in 2018 to pursue a career in professional boxing, is much less experienced. He has no amateur experience and had four white-collar bouts before turning professional.

Both men weighed in at career-high weights yesterday, with Wardley tipping the scales at 248.3lbs, 5.3lbs above his previous career high. Dubois came in at 253.9lbs, 2.15lbs higher than his previous career high.

Bellew previously questioned Dubois’ mentality, refusing to withdraw his comments about the Londoner being a quitter.

Speaking to talkSPORT after Dubois’ second defeat to Usyk in 2025, Bellew claimed: “When you’ve had three separate occasions when you’ve had moments of recollection and sit there and go, ‘I’m hurt, I’m down, I’ve had enough’.

“On Saturday night, he had zero success. In my opinion, this is the attitude and mentality of a guy who, when the going gets tough, he doesn’t want to fight, and you can never change that.”

It appears Bellew’s opinion has not shifted more than a year on, with the former champion backing Wardley to get the job done at the O2 Arena this evening.

When asked for his prediction by BBC Sport, Bellew said: “I'm going to be the difference. I am going to back Fabio Wardley by knockout within six rounds. Yep, I said. I'm going for Fab within six.”

Not everyone agrees, though, with Bellew’s fellow Liverpudlian and former world title challenger Paul Smith backing Dubois in the latter rounds.

“I fancy Dubois between the middle to late rounds,” he said. “I think Wardley will come out fast and put it on him and that's his best chance. I wouldn't be surprised if he won early, but I think Dubois has his number.

“Wardley took a lot in that fight and that took a lot out of him. I don't see him trying to box Dubois, the only chance he has is to jump him on early. I think Dubois will match him and weather the storm and use his feet like he did last time to nullify whatever Wardley does.”

Former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton agreed and tipped a “repeat scenario”.

“It may even end earlier,” he said. “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.”

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