Former champion Duke McKenzie questioned whether Wardley should return so quickly after the punishment he absorbed in Manchester

Fabio Wardley has activated the rematch clause for a second fight against Daniel Dubois less than a week after their brutal heavyweight title clash in Manchester. The decision immediately sparked concern from former world champion Duke McKenzie, who warned the punishment Wardley absorbed in the stoppage loss could have long-term effects.

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“The boxing world knows my character and Saturday night proved that without a shred of doubt,” Wardley told Sky Sports.

“It was a fight for the ages, but I made some mistakes that I will rectify in the rematch. Congratulations to Daniel, but I’m coming for you. and my belt.”

Wardley became WBO heavyweight champion earlier this year after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title. He had previously secured interim status with a win over Joseph Parker.

Former world champion Duke McKenzie said he personally would not want to see an immediate rematch because of the punishment Wardley absorbed during the fight.

“Those sort of beatdowns, very few fighters come back from,” McKenzie said to Secondsout. “He got beat up. He got out-muscled, which I didn’t think he would. His face was a mess. You couldn’t blame Fabio for quitting, but he didn’t.”

McKenzie also questioned whether Wardley should have been allowed to continue as long as he did.

“Personally, I’d like to have seen the fight stopped because those punches Wardley was taking was sickening towards the end,” said Duke. “He had nothing left from that ninth round. He had put every ounce of energy into every punch he had.”

Despite that, McKenzie believes the fight will still be remembered as one of the best heavyweight battles in recent years.

“You don’t get fights like that come along very often,” McKenzie said.

Wardley did not require hospital treatment after the fight, though he is still recovering from facial injuries suffered during the loss.