Months ago it seemed downright unrealistic that Fabio Wardley would ever step into a boxing ring with the mighty Oleksandr Usyk, but that all changed after his shock victory over Joseph Parker.
Wardley, a former white-collar boxer, silenced his critics on Sunday in dramatic fashion by stopping Parker in Round 11 and claiming his WBO interim heavyweight title.
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.
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With the win, Wardley becomes the mandatory challenger for the next shot at the heavyweight division’s undisputed king, Usyk.
And Usyk’s team has indicated that they will indeed take the fight, insisting that the winner of Sunday’s contest will be at the front of the line to take on the Ukrainian master.
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’s Wembley Stadium or in Saudi Arabia.
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
“I don’t know how I put that one [a fight with Usyk] into words,” Wardley said in the post-fight press conference.
“That has been the goal for a number of years now. It’s been everything I’ve wanted. We’re there. It’s a wild one to say but one of the generational talents, one of the best to ever do it, for all the marbles. There’s nothing more I could want within this sport.
“I’m not planning on getting in the ring with Usyk and going ‘thanks for having me’ and rolling over. When that bell does go, he’s going to have to work for it.
“I think I’d like to go overseas, something different, maybe America. Ultimately it could be in my back garden. Give him the directions to Ipswich, I’ll give him my postcode, and we can do it in the garden.
“As long as he’s there, bring his belts, let’s get this on.”
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’t be underestimated.
But surely he couldn’t take down the greatest heavyweight of a generation, could he?
Surely not.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, he couldn’t do it to Parker, according to the bookmakers, either,” Warren said on Sunday.
“He couldn’t do it to anyone. But you know what? He keeps doing it. That’s a fact of life.
“As 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’re out of the game.
“Of 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.”
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.
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’ll likely be a long way back to the top.
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
Usyk says he will only fight for another three years, so the chances of a showdown against him are slim.
John Fury, father of Tyson, said it was risky of Parker to take on Wardley – a proven knockout artist.
“It was stupid. It was absolutely horrendous. He was sitting at the number one spot,” Fury told ITV following the bout.
“He could have picked an easier night than Fabio Wardley, a dangerous man.”
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There was some debate about if Sunday’s thriller was stopped too quickly, with referee Howard Foster deeming it necessary to step in and protect Parker.
But Fury believes it should have been stopped sooner.
“Too slow of a stoppage,’ he said.
“It was a beaten man in there. Joe was beat. I know it was a world title fight and you’ve got to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he was getting killed in there.”
The Gypsy King himself, a good friend of Parker, also didn’t have a problem with the stoppage.
“The fight was an amazing fight. Both fighters have had a lot of success. I had Joe about four rounds up going into round 11,” Tyson Fury announced on his YouTube channel.
“But it’s heavyweight boxing. You can’t go swimming and not get wet, it’s a cliche. He got wet. The referee jumped in, a few unanswered shots, and that’s what it takes.
“It’s one of those things. It’s heavyweight boxing. You can get caught. I know all about getting caught. But on the whole, it was an amazing event.
“Joseph Parker’s going to come back stronger, I know that. Commiserations to my brother.
“Everyone did a fantastic job. Everyone got home, got paid, got laid, got home in one piece. Can’t say any fairer than that.”