With Fabio Wardley coming off of the new best win of his career on Saturday, where he stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th round, there is of course plenty of talk about Wardley facing undisputed world heavyweight
champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2026.
Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KO) may be the exact sort of challenge that could get Usyk (24-0, 15 KO) interested. The 38-year-old Ukrainian has been a bit coy about his career plans following July’s dominant win over Daniel Dubois, but Wardley has the sort of momentum and buzz that might make for a big money, big interest bout.
Wardley’s mentor and manager, Dillian Whyte, believes the rising contender can do to Usyk what he’s done to others.
“Why not? He’s a danger man all the way through, and he carries power,” Whyte said. “He shows when he gets guys hurt, he can finish, so why can’t he?”
Wardley, 30, showed an overall improved game on Saturday, looking a better boxer than he did in June against Justis Huni, where he rallied from way down on the cards to score a 10th round knockout. While his skill set isn’t and frankly never will be in league with Usyk, the power is extremely real, his speed is nothing to shake a stick at, and he does carry his power late, as Whyte noted.
Usyk would be a bigger favorite than Parker was, and Parker was a big favorite because of his more proven status in the sport. But even if Wardley were only given about a 10 percent chance to beat Usyk, the manner in which he has that 10 percent chance is legitimate. It’s a solid 10, so to speak.
Whyte also said that what we’ve seen from Wardley is exactly what he saw first sharing a ring with him in the gym.
“He came and sparred — just the way he moved, how awkward he was. He was like an elastic band, his punch power and the way he moves,” said Whyte.
“I just had a vibe from him. Me and him gelled. I told him, I said, ‘Bro, you have something special.’ I’m just glad that he’s proven it to himself and showed it to the world now, but I already knew this from Fabio a long time ago.”
