With 41 knockouts between them from 43 victories, few expect the contest to go the distance.
Wardley, sporting Ipswich Town’s newly-launched third kit with his name printed on the sleeve, was still bearing the scars of his punishing defeat in Manchester five months ago.
A cut across the bridge of his nose, first sustained during his 2024 draw with Frazer Clarke, reopened against Dubois and left his face badly swollen and bloodied.
The punishment he absorbed has raised questions over whether his decision to take an immediate rematch has come too soon but Wardley remains confident he can reverse the result.
“It’s simply seek and destroy now,” he said.
Promoter Frank Warren is predicting a “blockbuster” 2027 for the heavyweight division, with lucrative fights awaiting Saturday’s winner.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will finally meet in Cardiff on 11 December, while British prospect Itauma is set to return in January following his world-title defeat by Hrgovic.
Warren confirmed there is no clause for a third fight between Dubois and Wardley but the Queensberry Promotions boss refused to rule out a trilogy if the Ipswich fighter avenges the only defeat on his record.
“If that happens it’s a natural fight,” Warren said. “That’s what’s so intriguing about this. Who will they fight next year? We want to find out who is the best.”
