A sell-out crowd of 19,000 packed the O2 Arena and made their allegiances clear.
Wardley’s charismatic yet measured personality has made him a popular figure. He looked full of purpose as he took his time on stage, fireworks exploding in front of him, his usual smile replaced by a look of determination.
Dubois, meanwhile, was greeted by jeers as he marched straight past the fireworks and towards the ring, wasting little time soaking up the occasion.
Actor Paddy Considine, comedian Rob Beckett, Oasis star Noel Gallagher and darts world champion Luke Littler were among the famous faces in attendance.
With 41 knockouts between the fighters, few expected the judges to be called upon. The feeling beforehand was that Wardley’s best chance lay in making another fast start, having dropped Dubois inside the opening moments of their first meeting.
But in a stunning reversal, it took just 17 seconds for Wardley to hit the canvas as Dubois backed him into a corner and landed a straight right.
Chants of ‘oh Fabio Wardley’ were quickly silenced as Dubois continued to unload punishing combinations. Another furious attack towards the end of the round left Wardley in deep trouble.
Trainer Ben Davison, criticised for not withdrawing Wardley sooner in their first contest, stood poised with a towel in his hand as his fighter survived to the bell.
There had already been concerns over whether Wardley had returned too quickly after the punishment he absorbed in May, when he was left bloodied and badly swollen.
And those fears appeared justified as the challenger struggled to cope with Dubois’ relentless pressure. Wardley’s hands were low and his punches wild and telegraphed, lacking the menace he had shown in Manchester.
Backed into the corner again in the second round, he was subjected to another barrage before Davison leapt up and threw in the towel.
