Daniel Dubois needs a sharper performance against Fabio Wardley on Saturday, with trainer Don Charles promising a “more clinical job” from the WBO heavyweight champion in their rematch.
The WBO heavyweight titleholder makes his defense on October 17 at London’s O2 Arena. Charles feels the champion enters this rematch riding high on confidence, though promises of precision have to translate into shutting down Wardley’s avenues of attack.
“We’re expecting, like I said, a better version of Fabio, and we’re definitely going to bring a better version of ourselves,” Charles said to talkSPORT Boxing.
Dubois genuinely needs those adjustments. His initial trouble against Wardley proved perilous the moment the challenger found clean openings. Grabbing victory the first time around does not guarantee success if he walks the exact same path on Saturday.
Wardley let a real opportunity slip by failing to capitalize after landing significant blows. That remains the chief danger Dubois must counter, facing an opponent who acts decisively instead of granting the champion breathing room to recover his timing.
Charles recognizes the tactical shifts Wardley brings.
“He’s a very dangerous guy,” Charles noted. “We prepared for a better version of Fabio.”
Interestingly, the trainer claims Dubois is operating at only 80 percent capacity, leaving substantial room to grow. He points to a calmer champion who grinded through camp while keeping his competitive edge razor sharp.
“We’ve trained as if with the hunger of a challenger,” Charles explained.
Self-belief serves Dubois well, yet it cannot substitute for disciplined guard work under fire. He has to assert his power without hanging out to dry against incoming counters.
Charles is convinced Dubois leaves the ring with his belt after a faster finish. Still, Wardley’s capacity to learn and adapt threatens to complicate those plans. A refined Dubois likely repeats his triumph, but recycling old defensive blunders offers Wardley the exact ticket to an upset.
