Even if he emerges victorious this Saturday, Tony Bellew has urged Daniel Dubois to steer clear of one of the heavyweight division’s most formidable and underestimated operators.
As he prepares to make the first defence of his WBO world title, the 29-year-old Dubois is set to return to the ring this weekend for a high-stakes heavyweight rematch against Fabio Wardley at London’s iconic O2 Arena. The bout brings together two of Britain’s most prominent heavyweights in a return meeting that has captured the attention of the entire boxing world following their unforgettable first encounter.
Their initial meeting delivered a stunning, all-action affair that showcased both men’s resilience and championship character. In that first clash, Dubois was forced to overcome severe early adversity, climbing courageously off the canvas in both the first and third rounds. Showing tremendous composure and championship mettle, Dubois steadily worked his way back into the contest, gaining crucial momentum through his thudding, educated jab and superior footwork.
As the bout progressed into the later rounds, the dynamics shifted dramatically. Proceedings became largely one-sided as Wardley found himself on the receiving end of a punishing, sustained beatdown from the relentless champion. The accumulation of damage eventually took its toll, leading to the dramatic climax where Wardley was finally stopped on his feet in the 11th round, bringing a thrilling halt to a brutal contest.
As a direct result of that statement victory, Dubois was crowned a two-time world champion, firmly cementing his status among the elite tier of heavyweight contenders. Alongside WBC counterpart Agit Kabayel, Dubois sits comfortably near the summit of the division, representing the new guard of heavyweight boxing.
With both men holding prestigious world titles or major championship recognition, a potential unification match between Dubois and Kabayel could naturally materialise further down the line, potentially as early as 2027. However, that prospective blockbuster showdown relies entirely on a sequence of results: Dubois must successfully retain his title against Wardley this weekend, and Kabayel must successfully defend his standing in his upcoming November 28 contest against Nelson Hysa.
Despite the tantalising prospect of a major unification bout, former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has sounded a cautionary note. Speaking candidly to Fight Your Corner, Bellew warned that given Kabayel’s recent sensational performances—most notably his clinical, hard-hitting sixth-round finish over the towering Zhilei Zhang last year—Dubois might not yet be ready for the unique challenges posed by the unbeaten Kurdish-German contender.
Detailing his tactical concerns regarding a potential matchup, Bellew explained that the unknown ceiling of Kabayel’s abilities makes him an unnecessarily dangerous risk for a fighter who has already established himself at the very top of the sport.
"If I was managing Daniel Dubois, I wouldn’t touch Kabayel because I don’t know his level yet. He could be exceptional, but we don’t know yet," Bellew stated. "Kabayel’s a proper nightmare—he’s a brilliant body puncher, he gets up off the floor… he’s not the biggest heavyweight in the world, he’s not the biggest puncher; he’s a nice box-puncher."
Kabayel has steadily built a reputation as one of the most avoided and dangerous fighters in the heavyweight division. His methodical pressure, exceptional stamina, and devastating body punching have dismantled several top-tier opponents, turning him from a European-level operator into a legitimate global threat. His career-best victory over Zhilei Zhang demonstrated his ability to weather storms against much larger, heavier-punching opponents before breaking them down systematically.
Nevertheless, Bellew did offer a strategic blueprint for how Dubois could approach the formidable contender should the two ever cross paths inside the squared circle. The former world champion suggested that to give himself the best possible chance of victory against a style as intricate as Kabayel’s, Dubois would need to draw confidence from the moments of vulnerability Kabayel has previously shown, specifically pointing to the knockdown that the Kurdish-German suffered during his grueling battle against Zhang. By exploiting defensive lapses and utilizing his own imposing physical attributes, a carefully calculated game plan would be essential for the British star to navigate the unique problems posed by the rising heavyweight threat.
