Fabio Wardley admits he ‘feels more natural’ NOT being world champion ahead of Daniel Dubois rematch after being stopped in first bout

DAILYMAIL.COM • 58m ago

By JEFF POWELL MBE, SPORTS WRITER AND BOXING COLUMNIST 23:00 12 Oct 2026, updated 23:01 12 Oct 2026

Fabio Wardley is delighted to be the white collar underdog rather than the recognised holder of a world title as he goes into Saturday’s second slugfest with Daniel Dubois.

That unusual juxtaposition of psychological status gives the businessman disrupter of the ring order belief that he can spring a second upset on Dubois, the two-time champion.

Their first war for Wardley’s WBO belt started with Dubois being knocked down early and Wardley being battered to a stoppage late.

‘I’ve always been regarded as the underdog since I turned professional,’ says Wardley as he opens the fight week conversation.

Then he adds: ‘I love it. Honestly, it’s great. It feels more natural for me. Weightless.

‘Yes, it’s fantastic being a world champion. That and having an undefeated record going in with such a good fighter as Daniel carried a level of weight.

‘But now I just feel free. Free of pressure. Talk around the fight has changed. I’m back to being expected to lose with things going bad for me. I’m the challenger and I’m the chaser.

‘But for me it’s just… “Ah, this is it”. This is the nice bit I enjoy and still love however many years I’ve been on my way up. It feels great.’

Have any fighters had more fun being in a succession of brutal battles? But how does that improve his chances second time around with Dynamite Daniel?

‘A relaxed fighter is a comfortable and confident fighter,’ he says. ‘That’s always beneficial.

‘It was funny how the pendulum swung in our first fight. Suddenly everyone was saying, “Oh this is the one you’re going to win”. And I end up losing. Seemingly for me it’s better being underdog.’

When this philosophy was relayed to Dubois he smiled and responded: ‘Tell you the truth, I also prefer being the underdog. That’s how we are. Like being backs to the wall and coming out biting. That’s always my mentality. Champion or not.’

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