Fabio Wardley names the opponent he wants first as newly crowned heavyweight champion

After being upgraded to full WBO heavyweight world champion earlier this week, fans are debating who Fabio Wardley will take on in his first defence of the title. Now, the newly crowned fan-favourite has revealed his preference.

Oleksandr Usyk has dominated the heavyweight scene in recent years, establishing himself as the top dog in the division by becoming the first two-time undisputed champion since Muhammad Ali.

However, on Monday, the Ukrainian sensation revealed his decision to vacate the WBO title, allowing Fabio Wardley to be upgraded to full champion, after the latter’s triumph over Joseph Parker saw him get his hands on the WBO interim belt last month.

As a result, many names are now being linked to a showdown with Wardley, for what will be a first defence for the undefeated Brit, with names such as Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgovic and Derek Chisora being rumoured as possible challengers.

Although, in an interview with Sky Sports, Wardley admitted that he would love his next fight to still be against heavyweight king Usyk.

“If I could pick, I would pick the man that I guess gave me the belt in a sense, I’d pick Oleksandr Usyk. That would be the fight that I would want, it was the fight that I wanted. That was where me and the team were aiming and where our sights were headed after we finished the fight on October 25 and won and got the interim.

“We were gearing towards that fight and the main man himself. If he’s watching, if his team are watching, have a reconsider, maybe give me a call and we can work something out.”

It’s currently unknown what Usyk’s next move will be, with some fans speculating that the Ukrainian may now turn his attention to a fight against Agit Kabayel, provided the German can defeat Damian Knyba in Germany on January 10.