Fabio Wardley has criticized the possibility of Oleksandr Usyk facing elite kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.
Verhoeven is widely regarded as the best heavyweight kickboxer in the world and dominated Promotion Glory before relinquishing the kickboxing crown following an impressive championship reign dating back to 2013.
Usyk is a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, having defeated both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury twice. The Ukrainian has not boxed since knocking out Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last year.
Wardley had hoped to fight Usyk himself, but became WBO heavyweight world champion after the Ukrainian relinquished the belt.
“It’s very disappointing. As evidenced in this match and others, I want to challenge the best players. I want to be with the best players in the world,” Wardley told Sky Sports.
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On the Toe2Toe podcast, Wardley reveals why he thought Usyk would vacate the WBO world title rather than face him as a mandatory challenger.
There is precedent for crossover fights, such as Usyk vs. Verhoeven, with Tyson Fury’s non-title 10-round bout vs. former UFC champion Francis Ngannou being a high-profile example.
But Wardley feels Usyk should be fighting him, not someone like Verhoeven.
“I’m going to be disappointed because it’s a two-parter. I don’t think it’s really a genuine challenge and I’m not the right person for it,” he said.
“But I understand or accept that Usyk is at a certain point in his career. In that sense, he’s earned a point where he can do what he wants for a little while. In that sense, he’s earned a position where he can fight comfortably.”
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Dubois refused to shake Wardley’s hand after facing him for the first time at a launch press conference ahead of the May fight.
Although he did not rule out the possibility of a future fight with Usyk, Wardley will next face Daniel Dubois in Manchester for the title on May 9th.
The winner of Wardley vs. Dubois could face Fury later this year or box against Usyk to once again unify the four heavyweight world titles. “Maybe it (the Fury fight), maybe he’ll get four belts again, I don’t know,” promoter Frank Warren said.
However, Fury and Usyk could fight a third time. “Usyk and Tyson is a big fight. I would love to see it again,” Warren said. “We had very loose discussions (about it) with Usyk’s team. That was a while ago.”
Wardleys intends to pursue the best that this sector has to offer. Of Usyk, he said, “If he’s not that guy, if that guy’s not good, then look, I’m just going to keep fighting the good fight and keep putting in good performances in hopes that one day he’ll say yes.”
