Dubois claimed the WBO belt in May after recovering from two early knockdowns to stop Wardley in the 11th round at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. The former WBA “regular” and IBF champion was dropped inside the opening 10 seconds and again in the third round before turning the fight around.
Wardley exercised his rematch clause, giving him an immediate opportunity to reclaim the title.
Speaking at Wednesday’s launch press conference in London, Dubois said he was in a better position mentally and physically than before their first encounter.
“I was coming off a defeat last time, so I was a bit nervous and stuff. It is just a fresh start for me now,” Dubois said. “I feel even better, [with a] smoother training camp this time and I will be ready for war.”
The 28-year-old promised to start faster and deliver a more decisive finish, saying he intended to “take him out in style this time.” He also described Wardley as a “dead man walking” during their face-off.
Dubois has ambitions beyond the rematch, hoping another victory will put him in contention for bigger fights against the heavyweight division’s leading names.
Wardley, 31, admitted he became overly aggressive after his early success in Manchester, focusing too heavily on landing the right hand rather than maintaining his composure.
“I felt like I was a victim of my own success in them early stages,” Wardley said. “I just got trigger-happy, got carried away with just trying to launch that right hand, to get the fight finished up.”
Despite suffering his first defeat, Wardley remains confident he can make the necessary adjustments and predicted he would reclaim the WBO title by knockout.