Fabio Wardley Eyes 2026 WBO Undisputed Clash With Usyk

Newly crowned WBO interim heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley states that he’s confident that he can defeat undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk next, provided he gives him the WBO-mandated shot after his 11th-round knockout of Joseph Parker last Saturday night in London.

“His team said he would be happy to take on the winner. I believe he’s a man of his word. Hopefully, in 2026, we’ll see Usyk,” said Fabio Wardley to Sky Sports Boxing about Oleksandr Usyk, following through by facing him next after his win over Joseph Parker. “I know it was mandated by the WBO.

Usyk’s Safer Options: Fury or AJ

It would be a good idea for Wardley’s team to have a good plan B in case Usyk decides he’d rather not face him. From a business perspective, Usyk can make more money fighting Fury or Anthony Joshua in a trilogy match. Those fights are more winnable for the 38-year-old Usyk, as he wouldn’t have to worry about being hunted down the way he would by Wardley. That talent will walk through any punches Usyk throws to get to him to land his bombs.

Plan B: The Big Four Threats

Usyk hasn’t spoken up since last night’s victory by Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs), but he’s expected to comment soon on whether he’ll agree to face him or not. If not, Wardley will have to look in another direction toward one of ‘The Big Four’:

Moses Itauma
Agit Kabayel
Frank Sanchez
Filip Hrgovic

Ideally, Tyson Fury would come out of retirement to face Wardley, but there’s only a slim chance of him doing so. ‘The Gypsy King’ has made too much money in his last two fights, and it’s taken away any ambition he once had to continue his career.

Going up against an apex predator like Wardley would be a nightmare for the 37-year-old Fury. It has nothing to do with his age and growing waistline. Fury would struggle against Wardley at any age, even when he was at his best in 2015, when he dethroned the old lion Wladimir Klitschko.

Wardley’s Belief in Total Dominance

“It can’t be understated how good a boxer he is and how much of a talent he is, but I have self-belief. I don’t care who he is. At the bare bones of it, he’s just a man across the ring with two arms, the same as me. So, any man that steps in the ring with me, I can defeat,” said Wardley, talking about his belief that he can dethrone Usyk.