Fighting Oleksandr Usyk is like torture. But Fabio Wardley wants to experience it for himself.
Ipswich’s Wardley pulled off a surprise victory over Joseph Parker at the O2 Arena on Saturday.
It was a demonstration of Wardley’s uncanny ability to put himself through hell and still win, traits that could stand him in good stead against Usyk.
After winning Parker’s interim WBO title, Wardley becomes the next mandatory challenger to the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Usyk could relinquish the WBO title if he wants to pursue other options, but he must fight Wardley next to retain all four major heavyweight titles.
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Highlights of the heavyweight showdown between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley at the O2 (Credit: DAZN)
“It’s very simple. I hope he’s a man of his word and I hope it comes to fruition and we get the fight. I know it’s mandated by the WBO and I know he, or at least his team, came out a while ago and said, look, they were watching the fight and were happy to play the winner,” Wardley told Sky Sports News.
“I also believe that he is a man of his word. So I hope that we will see Usyk in 2026. That would be huge.”
Promoter Frank Warren expects Wardley to win the fight against Usyk. “I think it will be in March. We would love to have it in the UK, but there are only two places we can do it. That would be Riyadh or here,” Wardley said.
Wardley forced a finish in the 11th round against Parker
“It’s going to be a packed house at Wembley. You know what you’re going to get with Usyk and you know what you’re going to get with Fabio. It’s going to be exciting. This has got to be one of the most exciting fighters in the world.”
Winning a fight against Usyk is one thing, but actually beating him is another thing entirely. Tyson Fury tried twice but failed. Anthony Joshua tried twice but failed. So was Daniel Dubois, who was stopped after two attempts.
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Usyk is a rare warrior. He has an indomitable will to win. An elite skill set that won the London 2012 Olympics, excellent boxing IQ, movement and footwork, and the ability to set an incredible tempo from the first round to the final round.
He even showed a tendency to hurt the biggest heavyweights. He defeated Daniel Dubois in a rematch at Wembley Stadium and badly rocked Tyson Fury in their first fight.
Wardley will be a bigger underdog than other British hopefuls. Fury and Joshua were two-time heavyweight champions before facing Usyk, with Dubois also winning the IBF title and knocking out Joshua before his rematch with the Ukrainian.
Usyk overcame it all and proved himself to be the best heavyweight of his generation, never losing a professional fight and doing well at heavyweight (twice) and cruiserweight.
Mr. Wardley does not have those qualifications. He had never even boxed as a carded amateur and turned professional after just a few “white collar” bouts.
But Wardley has something about him. Incredible toughness and explosive punching power delivered victory when all seemed lost. Perhaps even his determination to win is a neologism, considering the punishment he endured and overcame.
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Watch the highlights of Oleksandr Usyk’s stunning knockout victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
“You can’t underestimate how good a boxer he is, how talented he is, but ultimately I have confidence. I don’t care who he is,” Wardley said.
“Essentially, he’s just a guy in the ring with two arms like me.
“So any guy that gets in that ring with me, I can beat.”
Wardley showed he never gave up, even when it seemed overwhelming.
“Mentally, I think if I’m still in the ring, if my feet are still on the ground and I still have breath in my lungs, then I’m still in the fight,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the first round or the 12th round.
“The fight continues as long as it lasts, and if I’m there, I’m still trying to get the victory.
“It’s just resilience. I don’t want to lose, I refuse. Even if I lose, those who can do it will reap the rewards.”
“It’s not an easy job for anyone. I don’t care who they are.”
Wardley targets Usyk and undisputed world champion
Frank Warren warns against ignoring Wardley completely. “He’s destructive,” the promoter said. “Obviously Usyk is going to be in there and he’s going to be a big favorite, I understand that, but if (Wardley) gets him, he’s going to have to have an exceptional chin.
“What I’m happy about is his journey. If the fight happens, which I believe it will, he’ll fight for four belts. What a fairy tale,” Warren added. “Just to get to that level and be able to do that, that’s an accomplishment.
“I’ve been in this business for a long time, and when you look at a guy who hasn’t had any amateur experience, that was his 21st fight. He’s learning on the job, and hey, it’s great.”
