Fighting Oleksandr Usyk seems like torture. But Fabio Wardley wants to experience it for himself.
Ipswich’s Wardley pulled off a comeback win over Joseph Parker at the O2 Stadium on Saturday.
It showed Wardley’s incredible ability to go through hell and still win, a trait that could stand him in good stead against Usyk.
Now that he has won Parker’s WBO interim title, Wardley has become the next mandatory challenger to the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
Usyk can vacate the WBO title if he wants to pursue other options, but he will have to fight Wardley next if he wants to retain all four major heavyweight championships.
Wardley finished 11 rounds with Parker.
“It’s very simple. I hope he’s a man of his word and then we get the fight. I know that’s the order from the WBO and he, or at least his team, came out a while ago and said they were watching the fight and would be happy to get the winner,” Wardley said. Sky Sports News.
“I believe he is a man of his word, so we will see Usyk in 2026. It will be huge.”
Promoter Frank Warren expects Wardley to take the fight to Usyk. “I think it will be around March. I hope we do it in the UK. There are only two places where that could happen. That would be Riyadh or here,” Wardley said.
“That would sell out Wembley. You know what you’re going to get with Usyk, you know what you’re going to get with Fabio. It’s going to be really exciting. This guy must be one of the most exciting fighters in the world.”
It’s one thing to fight Usyk, it’s another thing to actually beat him. Tyson Fury tried twice but failed. Anthony Joshua tried twice and failed. The same went for Daniel Dubois, who was stopped on both attempts.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
On the Toe2Toe podcast, trainers Gary Logan, Matty Francis and Julius Francis discuss whether eras of heavyweight fighters can really be compared.
Usyk is an unusual fighter. He has an unyielding will to win. He has the elite skills, outstanding boxing IQ, movement and footwork that helped him win the 2012 London Olympics, as well as the ability to set a tremendous tempo from the first round to the last.
He has even shown a tendency to hurt some of the biggest heavyweights. He dominated Daniel Dubois in their rematch at Wembley Stadium and badly rattled Tyson Fury in their first fight.
Wardley will be a more significant underdog than any other British heavyweight. Fury and Joshua were two-time heavyweight champions before fighting Usyk, and Dubois also won the IBF title and knocked out Joshua before their rematch with the Ukrainian.
Usyk went through it all to prove that he was the best heavyweight of his generation, never losing a professional fight and undisputed at heavyweight (twice) and cruiserweight.
Wardley has no such credentials. He never boxed on the amateur card and turned pro after a few ‘white collar’ fights.
But Wardley has something about him. When everything seemed lost, his incredible strength and explosive punching power led him to victory. Perhaps even his determination to win may have coined the phrase Usykesque, considering the punishment he endured and overcame.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look at the highlights of Oleksandr Usyk’s dramatic knockout win over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium
“You can’t understate how good and talented he is as a boxer, but ultimately it gave me confidence. I don’t care who he is,” Wardley said.
“Basically he’s just a guy across the ring with two arms just like mine.
“So anyone who gets into that ring with me can win.”
Wardley has shown that he doesn’t give up even when he seems overwhelmed.
“My mindset is that if I’m still in the ring, if my feet are still on the ground, I’m still choking, I’m still fighting,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s the first round or the 12th round.
“The fight lasts as long as it lasts, and if I’m there, I’m still trying to win.
“It’s just resilience. I don’t want to lose and I say no. And if I do lose, the person who does it will be greatly rewarded.
“This will not be a simple task for anyone. I don’t care who they are.”
Wardley has his sights set on Usyk and a clear world championship.
Frank Warren warns against ignoring Wardley completely. “He’s devastating,” the promoter said. “Of course Usyk is going to come in and he’s going to be a huge favorite. I understand that, but once (Wardley) gets him, he’s going to have to have a special chin.
“What I’m excited about is his journey. If the fight happens, he will fight for four belts. It’s truly a fairy tale.” Warren added. “Just being able to get to that level and do it is an accomplishment.
“I’ve been in the business for a very long time and to see a guy with no amateur experience, this was his 21st fight. He’s learning on the job and man, it’s amazing.”
