Dubois Questions Wardley Rematch After Training Admission

Daniel Dubois has challenged the significance of Fabio Wardley's first victory attempt ahead of their WBO heavyweight rematch, after revealing details about his preparation for their May fight and explaining why he believes the rematch will show a different performance.

According to SI, Dubois said he was not fully prepared for the first meeting and claimed his performance was limited despite stopping Wardley in the 11th round. He said he was able to recover after Wardley scored two knockdowns before the fight changed direction.

Dubois had previously described his preparation by saying he "didn't even train that hard" for the first matchup, according to SI.

"I was pretty overweight [in the first fight]," said Daniel Dubois, WBO heavyweight champion.

"I didn't even train that hard for that fight... [Wardley] did the best he can. All jokes aside, it was a great war; that was a good fight. I can't say enough about that." said Daniel Dubois, WBO heavyweight champion.

SI reported that Dubois rated his performance from the first bout as "4 out of 10" because of his claimed lack of preparation. Compubox recorded that Dubois landed 179 punches compared with Wardley's 97 before referee Howard Foster stopped the contest.

Fabio Wardley disputed Dubois' account of his preparation and suggested the claim was not a full reflection of the training process behind the fight. Wardley entered the rematch after activating his clause following his first professional defeat.

"I don't think many people believe that," said Fabio Wardley, heavyweight boxer.

Wardley responded to Dubois' comments by pointing to the demands of their 11-round fight and the involvement of trainer Don Charles during preparation.

"You're not going to get through 11 rounds of a fight like that just kind of rolling in off the sofa. And knowing Don Charles the way I do, there's no way Don's letting him just kind of skip through camp, just chill out and take it easy. There may be a couple of little lies in there. Plays to the camera." said Fabio Wardley, heavyweight boxer.

Dubois and Wardley will meet again at London's O2 Arena in their rematch for the WBO heavyweight title. Dubois enters the contest as a three-time heavyweight world champion and the division's second-longest reigning champion, according to SI.