Dubois v Wardley 2 - heavyweight title fight predictions

Five months after producing one of the most dramatic heavyweight fights of the year, Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley will renew their rivalry in London on Saturday.

Dubois, 29, makes the first defence of his WBO world title after climbing off the canvas twice to stop Wardley in the 11th round of their thrilling encounter in Manchester in May.

Ipswich's Wardley, 31, suffered the first defeat of his professional career that night but immediately activated his rematch clause in a bid to reclaim his world title.

With 41 knockouts between them in 43 combined victories, another explosive contest could be in store at the O2 Arena.

Can Dubois repeat his victory or will Wardley gain revenge and become a two-time world champion?

BBC Sport spoke to figures from across the boxing world to get their predictions.

Barry Jones - former super-featherweight world champion

"It's very hard to pick against the winner of the first fight when there's a rematch. Dubois was so composed, even after being knocked down twice. Wardley can knock out any person at any time, that's what took him from no experience on the white-collar scene to a world champion. You know what you will get with him.

"Dubois' issue has never been power, strength or bravery. It's when he has to think and can't find an answer and the panic occurs. If you whack him with big shots, he knows he can whack you back and hurt you.

"When he was knocked down, his corner played a great role to keep him calm and he knew what he had to do - hit Wardley clean and often.

"I think it will be the same result but Dubois might win a lot earlier this time. Wardley might knock him down and it will still be a thrilling fight while it lasts, but I think it will be Dubois inside five rounds."

Ade Oladipo - DAZN presenter

"Repeat or revenge? I guess you have to go for repeat. Wardley had his moments in the first fight but Dubois was so dominant. Aside from the two knockdowns, Dubois was bullish, strong and aggressive. Getting up from those two knockdowns showed a lot as well.

"So I favour Dubois. We know Wardley has the knockout power but I think Dubois is the best heavyweight in the world - with Oleksandr Usyk on an island by himself and we'll wait to see what he will do next.

"Dubois is number one - with Wardley top five in the world - and I think he will take a lot of confidence knowing a) he is world champion and b) it's a very quick turnaround for Wardley who took a beating in the first fight five months ago.

"If I had to put money on someone, I'm putting all my chips on Dubois getting the stoppage again."

Johnny Fisher - British heavyweight

"It's a great fight. Credit to Wardley for going back in there after taking some serious, serious damage and still standing - unbelievable tenacity from the man. And he can hurt Dubois - we saw that in the first minute or so of the fight.

"For me, though, the smart money would be on another Dubois victory."

Richard Riakporhe - British heavyweight champion

"It's a fascinating fight. Dubois has tremendous power and is dangerous at any moment, but I slightly favour Wardley. I think his resilience, work rate and ability to find a way through tough moments could make the difference.

"I'd give Wardley a 60-40 edge, but I wouldn't be surprised either way."

Liam Gough – boxing content creator and BBC Sounds' Punch Perfect host

"I think Daniel Dubois will come into this fight with enormous confidence, particularly after the way he came through two early knockdowns and went on to dominate thereafter. I struggle to see what Fabio Wardley can do differently this time to change the outcome.

"I expect Dubois to be even more aggressive and menacing from the opening bell. His jab will be sharp, but what makes him so dangerous is that he has more than just a big right hand in his arsenal.

"Wardley is a huge puncher himself, but I believe Dubois has more dimensions to his game, with a Plan B and Plan C if things don't go exactly as planned. I don't think we're going to see a long feeling-out process here.

"Dubois will look to impose himself immediately, put Wardley under pressure and take control of the fight early. This could be explosive from the very first exchange, so don't blink - because I don't think this one is going to last very long."

Carl Frampton - former two-weight world champion

"I think it's going to be a repeat scenario, and it may even end earlier. I'm not trying to be disrespectful to Wardley but when you're involved in those types of fights and are on the end of a beating like he was, sometimes you're not the same when you come back.