Daniel Dubois (left) has picked up 13 of his 24 wins inside two rounds

Daniel Dubois underlined his status as Britain's leading heavyweight with a devastating second-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley to retain his WBO title in London.

The 29-year-old floored Wardley with a straight right inside the opening 20 seconds of their eagerly anticipated rematch at the O2 Arena and continued his relentless assault.

Wardley survived the opening round but was overwhelmed by another sustained attack in the second, prompting his corner to throw in the towel.

Dubois registers a second successive stoppage victory over Wardley, just five months after climbing off the canvas twice to dethrone his British rival in a thrilling 11-round contest in Manchester.

This time, there was no such drama for the champion, who was dominant from the opening bell as he extended his professional record to 24 wins - 23 by knockout - and three defeats.

"Fabio is a great boy, coming in for the second time, but it was my time and my era. I had my intentions, bad intentions from the beginning," Dubois said.

"My back was against the wall the first time, this time we just had to go out there and show that we mean business, which is what we did tonight."

Wardley, 31, suffered the second defeat of his 23-fight professional career.

"I have always thrown myself in with the best competitors out there, the best in the business, the biggest, hardest, meanest guys around so, there is no shame in a loss when you're testing yourself against the best," he said.

'My time, my era' - Dubois beats Wardley to retain WBO heavyweight title - reaction

A sell-out crowd of 19,000 packed the O2 Arena and made their allegiances clear.

Wardley's charismatic yet measured personality has made him a popular figure. He looked full of purpose as he took his time on stage, fireworks exploding in front of him, his usual smile replaced by a look of determination.

Dubois, meanwhile, was greeted by jeers as he marched straight past the fireworks and towards the ring, wasting little time soaking up the occasion.

Actor Paddy Considine, comedian Rob Beckett, Oasis star Noel Gallagher and darts world champion Luke Littler were among the famous faces in attendance.

With 41 knockouts between the fighters, few expected the judges to be called upon. The feeling beforehand was that Wardley's best chance lay in making another fast start, having dropped Dubois inside the opening moments of their first meeting.

But in a stunning reversal, it took just 17 seconds for Wardley to hit the canvas as Dubois backed him into a corner and landed a straight right.

Chants of 'oh Fabio Wardley' were quickly silenced as Dubois continued to unload punishing combinations. Another furious attack towards the end of the round left Wardley in deep trouble.

Trainer Ben Davison, criticised for not withdrawing Wardley sooner in their first contest, stood poised with a towel in his hand as his fighter survived to the bell.

There had already been concerns over whether Wardley had returned too quickly after the punishment he absorbed in May, when he was left bloodied and badly swollen.

And those fears appeared justified as the challenger struggled to cope with Dubois' relentless pressure. Wardley's hands were low and his punches wild and telegraphed, lacking the menace he had shown in Manchester.

Backed into the corner again in the second round, he was subjected to another barrage before Davison leapt up and threw in the towel.

Daniel Dubois is a two-time heavyweight world champion

Dubois continues to fly the flag for British heavyweight boxing. After losing to Oleksandr Usyk in 2023, he responded with impressive victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, only to suffer another defeat by Usyk last year.

But back-to-back stoppage victories over Wardley have reinforced his standing among the world's leading active heavyweights.

IBF champion Hrgovic, whom Dubois stopped in June 2024, entered the ring afterwards, with both men keen on a rematch.

However, promoter Frank Warren wants Hrgovic to make his first title defence in Croatia before pursuing a unification fight.

The biggest payday for Dubois could come against the winner of Joshua and Tyson Fury's December showdown, which is expected to have the WBA 'super' title at stake.

Asked who he wants to face next, Dubois said: "Whoever is next in line, really. I'm the champion now, and I want to get some big fights in. At this stage in my career, big money, big fights."

For Wardley, successive defeats represent a significant setback, but his remarkable journey should not be forgotten.

The former recruitment consultant had just four white-collar fights before turning professional in 2017. Less than a decade later, he was a world heavyweight champion.

Rather than rebuild against lesser opposition following May's punishing defeat, Wardley gambled on an immediate rematch with one of the division's most destructive punchers.

It was a gamble that backfired and, after two bruising defeats, he may benefit from some time away.

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