Dubois, Canelo, and others: BOXSPORT looks ahead to the coming month and highlights three top international fights that boxing fans shouldn’t miss in October.
October 17: Dubois vs. Wardley, WBO Heavyweight World Championship
It could be an extremely entertaining rematch for the WBO title at London’s O2 Arena. On October 17 (live on DAZN), Daniel Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs) and Fabio Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KOs), two heavyweights who are known more for spectacle and drama than for tactical boxing will face off on October 17 (live on DAZN).
The two English rivals delivered the most spectacular fight of the year so far in May . After recovering from two early knockdowns, Dubois engaged in a bloody brawl with Wardley—and dethroned him as WBO champion (T.K.O. in the 11th round). Now “Dynamite” is considered the slight favorite to defend his title. But he should avoid the mistakes he made early on in the first fight.
October 24: Navarrete vs. Foster, WBO/IBF/WBC Super Featherweight World Title
This super featherweight unification bout pits two completely different boxing styles against each other. WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster (25-3, 12 KOs) scored significant victories in 2025 against Robson Conceicao, Stephen Fulton, and Raymond Ford. If the Texan can perform at this level on October 24 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio (live on DAZN), he’ll have a chance against Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs).
But the 31-year-old, who holds the WBO and IBF world championship belts, is known for literally wearing down his opponents in the later rounds. If Foster gets drawn into a brawl with Navarrete and “Ice Water’s” counterpunches don’t land, the Mexican’s punching power and frequency are likely to decide the fight. In other words: If Foster stays disciplined and fights strategically, a narrow victory on points is within his reach.
October 31: Canelo vs. Mbilli, WBC Super Middleweight World Title Fight
The U.S. boxing bible “The Ring” ranks Canelo Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) No. 2 in the super middleweight division—one spot above reigning WBC champion Christian Mbilli. It is precisely this title—the WBC belt—that the Mexican boxing legend aims to reclaim on October 31 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Canelo hasn’t fought since his loss in the Undisputed Fight against Terence Crawford in September 2025. And yet, with his next fight against Mbilli, he has the chance to return to the world championship throne.
Following Crawford’s retirement, the previously undefeated Frenchman (29-0-1, 24 KOs) was promoted from interim to full-fledged WBC world champion. Now Canelo has the chance to reclaim that very title. Although Mbilli (31) is considered a high-pressure fighter, the five-years-older ring veteran from Guadalajara enters this thrilling bout as the favorite ( live on DAZN).
Text: Frank Schwantes