Fabio Wardley expecting second child in December ahead of Daniel Dubois rematch

The Ipswich heavyweight, who lost the WBO title to Dubois in May, said neither pregnancy was planned and that his daughter "can't be a distraction" once he is in the ring at The O2 on Saturday.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Mon 12 Oct, 13:25 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Fabio Wardley at the launch press conference for his rematch with Daniel Dubois — Photo: Queensberry Promotions

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Fabio Wardley and his partner, Charlotte, are expecting their second child in December, the Ipswich heavyweight told The Sun, days before his WBO heavyweight title rematch with Daniel Dubois at The O2 in London on Saturday 17 October.

Asked whether the timing was planned, Wardley said: "Do you mean was it planned? No! I didn't f***ing plan the first one! They just keep popping up. The due date is December so it's not as crazy as the last one that came a week after the Huni fight."

His daughter was born days after he knocked out Justis Huni in the 10th round at Portman Road in Ipswich in June 2025, a fight Huni had led on the scorecards.

Wardley has said before that he fears hard heavyweight fights take years off his life. Reminded of that, he said: "Yes, but ultimately I don't listen to myself. It's not the aim but I am never going to shy away from it. I can't ask Daniel to go easy on me because I have a baby at home! If it's going to be a war, it will be a war. There's a level of acceptance."

He said he keeps fatherhood and fighting apart. "Fab the dad is a different guy to Fabio the fighter. They are different people, they have to be," he said. "I love my child dearly, with every bit of my heart. But, in the nicest possible way, she is of no consideration when I am in the middle of the ring, she can't be a distraction."

Dubois took the WBO title from Wardley at Co-op Live in Manchester in May, getting up from two knockdowns in the first three rounds before the fight was stopped in the 11th. Wardley activated the rematch clause within a week. He told The Sun his nose "just cuts", which makes the damage look worse, and that sitting out was never an option: "Get me back in there, I'll sort it out myself, I will right the wrongs. I will fix it."

The rematch is on DAZN, with the main event expected at 22:00 UK and Irish time. Full card and UK start times.