Paul Smith Warns Fabio Wardley Over Daniel Dubois Rematch Timing

Smith says Wardley absorbed too much punishment against Dubois and needs time to recover before returning to the ring

Paul Smith believes Fabio Wardley is risking long-term damage by moving too quickly into a rematch with Daniel Dubois after their brutal heavyweight title fight. Smith questioned whether Wardley can fully recover in time after absorbing heavy punishment before the 11th-round stoppage loss.

“Wardley activating the rematch,” Smith said on X. “Will genuinely be shocked if he fights again before the winter. If he does, he’s not gonna be near what his best is. That fight will have took a lot out of him, the injury to the nose will take a long time healing and he needs a good rest. Madness.”

Smith later made clear he was not criticizing Wardley for wanting the rematch. His concern was that Wardley may not have enough time to recover properly from the type of fight he had with Dubois.

“No, I’m not knocking the choice, mate, I’m criticizing the timing. Not yet,” Smith said.

Smith also pointed to Dubois’ punching power as the reason Wardley’s team should be careful with how quickly they send him back into that fight.

“I’ve never been in one with someone as big or as hard as Dubois, hitting me constantly to know, mate,” Smith said. “I’ve done a few grueling 12-rounders, but that was another level, and he took too much unnecessarily and for a couple of rounds too many, in my opinion.”

Smith said Wardley’s durability should not be treated as permanent after such a hard fight.

“I said for years, though, it happens, people like Joyce, Wardley, unbelievable chins until they aren’t anymore,” Smith said. “It takes one shot or one night. Then it changes. Then the durability and invincibility aren’t there anymore.”

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