Fabio Wardley estimated repair time from Dubois TKO loss and possible comeback opponents following his 11th round TKO defeat at the weekend in boxing.
Wardley’s stock went up in defeat.
He was stopped for the first time but dropped Dubois and showed above average heart and courage in the fight.
He got stopped in round 11 but did well in the fight. Afterwards he said congrats to Dubois.
He is badly bust up for now though and some notes on that and moving forward:
10 Facts on Fabio Wardley’s Health & Recovery
- Injuries suffered: Broken nose, badly swollen right eye that was “almost completely shut” by round 8, and heavy bleeding from the bridge of the nose
- Duration of damage: Wardley “fought with one eye for most of the fight and a broken nose”
- Ringside checks: The doctor inspected his swollen eye before round 9 and again at the start of round 10
- Trainer’s view: Ben Davison said “I actually agree the fight could have been stopped earlier”
- Post-fight update: Davison confirmed “Most importantly Fabio is OK” and he’s “at home with his family”
- Wardley’s own words: “My body failed me, but not my heart and that I can live with”
- No long-term damage reported yet: Promoter Lee Eaton said “His at home with his family his good”
- Frank Warren on timeline: Warren said both Wardley and Dubois “are going to have to be out of the ring for a little while yet. Probably six months at least”
- DAZN assessment: “It is unlikely we will see Wardley fight until 2027” due to the punishment taken
- Concern from pundits: Barry McGuigan said “Don’t believe Wardley will ever be the same fighter again” after the “terrifying amount of punishment”
10 Possible Comeback Opponents for Fabio Wardley
- Daniel Dubois – Rematch clause exists in the contract, though Warren doubts it’s immediate
- Joseph Parker – Wardley beat him Oct 2025 to win the WBO interim title
- Justis Huni – Wardley was set to face him June 7, 2026 before Huni replaced Jarrell Miller
- Frazer Clarke – Their 2024 draw and 2024 KO rivalry still has UK appeal
- Jarrell Miller – Was scheduled for June 7, 2026 at Portman Road before Miller withdrew injured
- Agit Kabayel – WBC Interim champ, name Wardley’s been linked with for a stadium fight
- Otto Wallin – Durable southpaw gatekeeper, good style to rebuild confidence
- Filip Hrgovic – Top-10 IBF contender, fights Dave Allen May 16
- Joe Joyce – Another big British name coming off losses, sellable domestic clash
- Martin Bakole – High-risk, high-reward contender if Wardley wants to jump straight back into the mix
Alas, the heavyweight era we are in now is not the greatest era of heavyweights but they are all fighting one another right now.
You have to give them that — the fights are excellent entertainment and the matchmaking is much better.
Anthony Joshua is back soon as well.
It is all happening now, fights everywhere.
No wonder boxing is doing so well again.
People are getting the fights now regularly in boxing and it is only speeding up as the days go on.
