The heavyweight division delivered another unforgettable night of boxing as Daniel Dubois successfully defended his WBO world heavyweight title against rival Fabio Wardley in a high-stakes, highly anticipated rematch. Staged at a capacity-filled O2 Arena in London on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the championship bout served as the anchor for a massive night of pugilism broadcast globally to fight fans via pay-per-view on DAZN.
The main event brought a definitive and explosive conclusion to a rivalry that has captivated British boxing enthusiasts. Dubois, displaying the devastating power and composure that have defined his ascent through the elite tier of the heavyweight ranks, overwhelmed Wardley inside the opening moments of the bout. The contest came to a sudden halt in the second round when Wardley’s corner made the wise and protective decision to rescue their fighter, resulting in a technical knockout victory for Dubois at the 2:21 mark of the frame.
For Dubois, the victory reinforces his status at the pinnacle of the division and adds another defining chapter to his professional resume. The atmosphere inside the iconic London venue was electric from the opening bell, as two of the heavyweight division’s most dangerous punchers squared off under the bright lights of a major pay-per-view production. While Wardley entered the ring with immense momentum and unwavering determination to capture the championship, Dubois ultimately proved to be too formidable an obstacle, utilizing precise offensive pressure that forced his opponent’s corner to step in and halt the punishment.
Dubios vs. Wardley 2 Main Card Results Below: (DAZN PPV at 2 p.m. ET)
The DAZN pay-per-view main card offered a diverse and compelling showcase of talent, featuring competitive matchups, tactical battles, and decisive stoppages that kept audiences engaged from the early afternoon broadcast slot.
In the co-feature of the evening, Louie O’Doherty and Michael Gomez Jr. squared off in a fiercely contested bout that ultimately ended in a majority draw after a grueling battle. The judges struggled to separate the two determined competitors, turning in scorecards of 115-114 in favor of Gomez, alongside two identical even cards of 114-114, reflecting the razor-thin margins and back-and-forth nature of the encounter.
Earlier on the main card, Adam Olaniyan delivered a standout performance, securing a second-round technical knockout victory over Dan Garber. Olaniyan demonstrated superior timing and heavy hands, bringing an end to the bout at 1:15 of the second round to cap off an impressive showing inside the ring.
In a pivotal heavyweight clash featuring elite international credentials, Bakhodir Jalolov maintained his winning ways by securing a dominant unanimous decision victory over Soloman Dacres. Jalolov utilized his towering reach, technical mastery, and sharp southpaw combinations to sweep the scorecards, with the ringside judges turning in tallies of 99-91 and 99-90 twice, awarding the undefeated contender a clear and decisive victory over a very game opponent.
The main card action also featured a thrilling contest between Nelson Birchall and Levi Giles. The two featherweights traded blows in a high-tempo affair before Birchall broke the fight open in the later stages, ultimately forcing a referee stoppage via seventh-round technical knockout at just 51 seconds of the round, showcasing immense stamina and finishing instinct.
Watch Prelims below:
The preliminary card, broadcast live to fans around the world to set the stage for the afternoon’s marquee matchups, delivered an incredible run of action featuring rising prospects and seasoned regional competitors eager to make a lasting impression on a global stage.
Dubois vs. Wardley 2 Prelims Results Below:
The preliminary matches kicked off with a series of high-energy bouts that set a blistering pace for the entire event. Tony Curtis ignited the crowd with a sensational performance, breaking down Kerim Agius en route to a fourth-round technical knockout victory at the 2:57 mark, showcasing remarkable poise under the bright arena lights.
Continuing the trend of stoppage victories, Zayn Ahmed wasted little time in his matchup against Kasey Bradnum. Ahmed unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches that forced the referee to step in and wave off the contest just 2:49 into the opening round, securing a rapid first-round technical knockout.
The preliminary lineup also featured tactical masterclasses, highlighted by Leighton Birchall’s disciplined performance against Luis Vara Carrillo. Birchall displayed exceptional boxing IQ and defensive responsibility over the scheduled distance, sweeping the judges’ scorecards by identical tallies of 60-54 across all three judges to claim a clean and undisputed unanimous decision victory.
Manny Safari added another highlight-reel stoppage to his professional record, engaging in a tough battle with Jake Pollard before finding the necessary opening in the fifth round. Safari’s sustained body and head attacks accumulated over the course of the fight finally took their toll, resulting in a technical knockout victory at 2:15 of the fifth frame.
Fawas Aborode similarly demonstrated his finishing abilities in a grueling encounter with Rashid Omar. Aborode pressed the action from the opening bell and was rewarded for his relentless pressure when he secured a fourth-round technical knockout at the 1:58 mark.
In another explosive preliminary matchup, Aaron Noriega proved too much for Leonardo Baez to handle. Noriega utilized superior speed and combination punching to overwhelm his opponent, bringing the bout to a halt via fourth-round technical knockout at 1:41 of the round.
Rounding out the preliminary card, Issiah Hamilton-Allen and Jensen Irving put on a gritty, hard-fought display over the course of their contest. When the final bell sounded, it was Hamilton-Allen who walked away with his hand raised, earning a well-deserved unanimous decision victory courtesy of identical 42-36 scorecards from the ringside officials, successfully capping off an action-packed preliminary window before the pay-per-view card commenced.
