In typical fashion, Wardley was behind on the cards when he proved once again that he needs just one punch to change the direction of a fight.<\/p>\n
UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev | SUN 16 NOV 2PM AEDT | Australia\u2019s own Jack Della Maddalena puts his welterweight title on the line against Pound for Pound great and former lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in a blockbuster night of fights, live from New York City | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports<\/a><\/p>\n With the win, Wardley becomes the mandatory challenger for the next shot at the heavyweight division\u2019s undisputed king, Usyk.<\/p>\n And Usyk\u2019s team has indicated that they will indeed take the fight, insisting that the winner of Sunday\u2019s contest will be at the front of the line to take on the Ukrainian master.<\/p>\n Promoter Frank Warren also confirmed that the bout will be agreed to, and says he is targeting the fight to take place in March next year at either London\u2019s Wembley Stadium or in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 25: Fabio Wardley TKOs Joseph Parker during the Heavyweight fight between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley on the “All or Nothing” Fight Night at The O2 Arena on October 25, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how I put that one [a fight with Usyk] into words,\u201d Wardley said in the post-fight press conference.<\/p>\n \u201cThat has been the goal for a number of years now. It\u2019s been everything I\u2019ve wanted. We\u2019re there. It\u2019s a wild one to say but one of the generational talents, one of the best to ever do it, for all the marbles. There\u2019s nothing more I could want within this sport.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not planning on getting in the ring with Usyk and going \u2018thanks for having me\u2019 and rolling over. When that bell does go, he\u2019s going to have to work for it.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019d like to go overseas, something different, maybe America. Ultimately it could be in my back garden. Give him the directions to Ipswich, I\u2019ll give him my postcode, and we can do it in the garden. <\/p>\n \u201cAs long as he\u2019s there, bring his belts, let\u2019s get this on.\u201d<\/p>\n Wardley, a man with no amateur experience at all, now boasts a spotless 20-0-1 record with 19 knockouts – and has proved once again that he shouldn\u2019t be underestimated.<\/p>\n But surely he couldn\u2019t take down the greatest heavyweight of a generation, could he?<\/p>\n Surely not.<\/p>\n \u201cCorrect me if I\u2019m wrong, he couldn\u2019t do it to Parker, according to the bookmakers, either,\u201d Warren said on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cHe couldn\u2019t do it to anyone. But you know what? He keeps doing it. That\u2019s a fact of life.<\/p>\n \u201cAs everyone was saying before the fight, there are levels. There are levels, but then there is Fabio Wardley, who has got a leveler. If he catches you with it, you\u2019re out of the game.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course Usyk will be a massive favourite, I understand that. But if Fabio catches him, he will have to have an extraordinary chin to stand that force.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Parker must be kicking himself after having his hopes dashed at the O2 Arena while just minutes away from victory and a possible big-money showdown with Usyk.<\/p>\n Parker, who was the WBO heavyweight world champion in 2016 when Wardley was just starting off in the sport, has called for a rematch with Wardley – but it\u2019ll likely be a long way back to the top.<\/p>\n LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Oleksandr Usyk reacts during the Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk Press Conference at Outernet London on November 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Usyk says he will only fight for another three years, so the chances of a showdown against him are slim.<\/p>\n John Fury, father of Tyson, said it was risky of Parker to take on Wardley – a proven knockout artist.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was stupid. It was absolutely horrendous. He was sitting at the number one spot,\u201d Fury told ITV following the bout.<\/p>\n \u201cHe could have picked an easier night than Fabio Wardley, a dangerous man.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE BOXING<\/p>\n HUNI EXCLUSIVE: Aussie heavyweight Justis Huni opens up on chaos behind KO loss to Fabio Wardley<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761200708_112_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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