George Groves has highlighted what he believes to be one important factor that could play a huge part in deciding who comes out on top when Fabio Wardley rematches Daniel Dubois this weekend.
Wardley went into the ring in April to make the first defence of the WBO belt he received after Oleksandr Usyk vacated, and he beat Joseph Parker. He started well against Dubois and had him down twice early on, then chased the knockout.
He failed to build on his good start and instead ‘DDD’ composed himself and began to land his own big shots and control the fight. By the time the 11th round came around, Wardley’s nose had broken, as it often does, his face was a crimson mask of blood and he was offering little back, which meant the referee stepped in to stop the contest.
Speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, Groves thinks Wardley’s nose could play a big part when the heavyweights do it all again this weekend.
“I do also believe that it’s a significant problem for Wardley. I think he does unravel a bit once that nose goes. He had the perfect start last time; sometimes that can work for you, nine times out of ten it does, but sometimes it can work against you, you can relax a little bit too much. But, yeah, I think he will be hanging onto that. I make Dubois the favourite, as long as Dubois turns up.”
Wardley has vowed to be better after hearing Usyk say he should use his jab more, while Dubois has already got his eye on fighting on Fury should he come through his class with Anthony Joshua in December.
