Wardley’s toughness can’t be questioned after his battle with Dubois. The Ipswich fighter sustained loads of punishment late in that bout but refused to give up, adamant that he could still flip issues around — as he’d achieved beforehand in his two prior fights against Joseph Parker and Justis Huni.
But how many instances can you go back to the nicely before there’s nothing left?
For a man with just 22 fights, Wardley has already had a bodily demanding profession. The put on and tear will be seen on Saturday when Dubois gets his jab going on Wardley’s nostril, and it busts open again.
With just 160 days to heal from such a brutal affair, it’s troublesome to think about Wardley has absolutely recovered going into the second assembly, nor will he be ready to maintain the same quantity of punishment. The rematch has seemingly come too soon for him to be at his best.
Wardley is his most harmful early — and that absolutely has to be the sport plan.
Wardley had Dubois down just seconds into their first battle and then put him on the flooring again in Round 3. The former champion must believe that if he can bounce on Dubois in the opening few rounds and make it a shootout, with his pace benefit and uncooked energy, he has the probability to finish issues shortly.
Dubois was floored both instances by overhand rights close to the aspect of his head, which crumbled his stability and saw his legs betray him momentarily. The overhand proper is very much Wardley’s money punch, and with so much of Dubois’ sport dictated by his jab, Wardley absolutely will have loads of alternatives to land that shot over Dubois’ left.
That strategy may also put him in hurt’s manner, though. Dubois has ended 22 of his 23 wins inside the distance. He’s a monstrous puncher as nicely, and if Wardley commits to energy pictures early, it could depart him open to ferocious counters.
In their first battle, Dubois was ready to harm Wardley, but Wardley stood up to the energy higher. When Dubois was caught by a huge shot, he discovered himself on the canvas; Wardley, however, did not. But will it be the same in the rematch? Has the cumulative punishment had a lasting impression on Wardley’s chin, which has been so dependable in the previous?
There are some comparisons between this rematch and Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang 2 in 2023. Joyce was the most sturdy fighter in the division. He had a granite chin and was marketed as an immovable object. Zhang was a devastating puncher, and in their first battle, Joyce stood up to his energy until eye harm compelled the battle to finish prematurely.
When they fought the second time, though, Joyce’s chin wasn’t the same. Zhang compelled an early end with a mammoth proper hook. Another similarity to Dubois vs. Wardley 2 was the short turnaround — just 5 months on both events.
Joyce was never the same fighter after the first Zhang battle, and I worry that may be the case for Wardley too.
As for Dubois, the key for him in this battle will be to keep alert early and settle into a rhythm. Once Dubois can set up himself in the battle and have success with his jab, it will pave the manner for him to land his heavier punches on Wardley. The champion wants to climate what will seemingly be a heavy storm in the opening rounds and strive to take over as the battle performs out.
Another key benefit in the rematch — just as it was in the first battle — is Dubois’ fundamentals, which are much higher than those of Wardley. Dubois was a high novice with quite a few youth and junior bouts, while Wardley came up through the white-collar route. Dubois’ education has led him to be higher ready for the world stage of the heavyweight division.
It’s seemingly Wardley is not as sturdy as he was in the first battle, and therefore I see Dubois breaking him down and getting him out earlier this time.
Prediction: Dubois KO
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