Bellew offers advice to Wardley ahead of potential rematch with Dubois

Tony Bellew has offered advice to Fabio Wardley ahead of an official announcement of a rematch with Daniel Dubois.

The two British boxers delivered an absolute classic in a heavyweight showdown back in May. Dubois survived two early knockdowns to stop a battered but courageous Wardley in the 11th round to claim the WBO title.

Wardley, who was defending his belt for the first time, stunned Dubois just 10 seconds into the fight with a powerful right hand that sent the former champion to the canvas.

He dropped Dubois again in the third round and looked poised to seize control of the bout.

However, Daniel Dubois regrouped impressively and gradually turned the tide with relentless pressure and heavy combinations.

The fight was stopped in the 11th round with Fabio Wardley bloodied and battered, but refusing to give in.

Speaking to FightLens, Bellew offered some words of wisdom to the Ipswich man if he is to face ‘DDD’ again.

“He’s also got to now realise when I’ve got a man hurt and on the floor twice in a fight, I’ve got to finish him. Don’t play with your food, because it can come back to really hurt you. It’s unfortunate, very good fighter,” Bellew said.

Wardley recently activated a rematch clause after losing his WBO heavyweight title to Dubois in Manchester on May 9.

An official statement from Queensberry read: "Queensberry can confirm that Fabio Wardley has activated the rematch clause following his defeat in last week’s WBO world title fight against Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live in Manchester. All parties will now work towards a rematch of their fight of the year contender for later in 2026."

The second fight between the pair could take place in December after their promoter Frank Warren said that he expects Dubois to remain far from the ring for some time.

"As for Daniel's next fight, a fight in the autumn," Warren told DAZN. "Autumn finishes in November. So we'll see what happens. He needs a rest."