Fabio Wardley has been advised to retire, due to both his second-round stoppage defeat to Daniel Dubois and the overall damage he has incurred in recent years.

The 31-year-old returned to action yesterday evening, attempting to reclaim his WBO title after suffering a punishing 11th-round stoppage defeat to Dubois in May.

Wardley did, of course, manage to score two early knockdowns but, for the rest of their contest, the momentum was firmly in his opponent’s favour.

Many therefore made Dubois a sizable favourite ahead of their rematch, which saw a role reversal as it was the 29-year-old, this time, who floored his man within the first 20 seconds.

Somehow, Wardley regained his footing but was placed under increasing pressure, with his corner throwing in the towel following a sustained onslaught from Dubois.

As a result, Dubois retained his world heavyweight title and is now eager to secure a unification match, while the immediate future for Wardley seems far less obvious.

Speaking to Boxing News, though, IBF champion Filip Hrgovic said the Ipswich man should leave the sport while, financially, he is in a position to do so.

“I think he should retire. He didn’t look good; he made [a] bunch of money … he did miracle – he became world champion without amateur career.

“He received a lot of damage in his last five [to] six fights, and he should retire and enjoy [his life].

“Daniel Dubois start normal, with the jab – he didn’t do anything special. Wardley just wasn’t in a [good] place from the beginning.”

Indeed, very few expected that Wardley, who had just four white collar fights before turning professional, would go on to become a world champion.