After needing nearly 11 rounds to finish the job in a brutal bout and claim the WBO heavyweight title in Manchester just 161 days ago, the Ring’s No. 1 heavyweight contender took Wardley apart quickly in their rematch. Ben Davison and Rob Hodgins, Wardley’s training team, were slammed for leaving their man in for too long May 9, it was Davison who tossed in the towel to call things off this one-sided rematch.

Referee Steve Gray stopped the action at 2:21 of the second round.

Back in Manchester, Wardley dropped Dubois after just 16 seconds, with the very first right hand he threw. But it was a total role reversal here as Dubois dropped Wardley after 17 seconds with a pinpoint right hand of his own.

It was the first time Wardley, the former white-collar boxer, had been down in his entire life. With more than 2½ minutes left on the clock, he found himself in the midst of a crisis. But while Wardley was unable to capitalize on the early breakthrough in May, there would be no let-up from Dubois (24-3, 23 KOs).

With so long left in the round, it looked like the writing was on the wall as the Londoner landed with more devastating right hands. So one-sided was the beatdown that Davison was on the ring apron with towel in hand as the opening round entered its final 10 seconds.

Wardley (20-2-1, 19 KOs) made it through to the bell, but there would be no dramatic turnaround here. Instead, the second round continued in the exact same fashion, with Wardley simply incapable of landing anything to slow Dubois down.

Just as it was in Manchester, Wardley would not end the fight on his back, but rather up against the ropes, taking more heavy punishment. This time the towel came in and the pain was over for Wardley, who failed in his challenge to win back his title.

“It just didn’t work for me tonight,” Wardley said. “It’s a nod and credit to how well Daniel has prepared. Boxing is a game of fine margins. It was what it was. I didn’t get sparked out, so there’s a little bit of pride to be taken.”

As ever, Wardley walked to the ring to Roy Jones Jr.’s “Can’t Be Touched.” Only this time, Jones himself was in attendance, as one of his boxers, Tony Curtis Jr., boxed on the undercard. Wardley received a very warm reception while Dubois was roundly booed on his arrival, and again when his name was read out. Whether that had anything to do with the fast start is another matter, but it certainly did little to slow him down.

“I hope you guys were entertained tonight,” a beaming Dubois said. “Are you not entertained? Fabio is a great warrior.”

Having remained unbeaten for the first 21 fights of his career, this painful defeat means Ipswich’s Wardley has now lost twice in five months. The Ring’s No. 5 heavyweight now faces a long march back toward the top.

When asked whether this rematch might have come too soon, given how quickly Dubois did the business, Wardley said, “No not in the slightest, not at all. I just didn’t execute the game plan properly, that was all. I hold my hands up, it was down to me. There’s no blame to be passed around.

“Daniel himself is a testament to losing and bouncing back and I’ll be looking to do the same thing. It wasn’t my night tonight, but I’ll come back stronger.”