Just a few days after getting stopped by Dubois in the 11th round for his WBO heavyweight title at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, Wardley activated his rematch clause.

However, the WBO have hinted to The Ring they may yet order Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs) to defend against No. 1-ranked Itauma.

“Bear in mind that rematches are not binding to the WBO,” President Gustavo Olivieri said. “Itauma is the mandatory. We will see how it plays out.”

The 21-year-old from Kent, England solidified himself as a bona fide contender with his first-round stoppage win over former WBC interim champion, Dillian Whyte, last August. Itauma then followed up that victory with a fifth-round KO against Jermaine Franklin in March.

Itauma, according to his promoter Frank Warren, will return for his second fight of the year on August 8. An official opponent hasn’t been revealed just yet, but Filip Hrgovic has been mooted as a potential counterpart.

If the WBO allows Wardley vs. Dubois II, and Wardley wins, Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) could be the one left without a dance partner. Prior to his defeat, Wardley stated on numerous occasions that a fight with Itauma is an "impossibility" as they share the same trainer, Ben Davison.