Eddie Hearn has been looking ahead to the possible heavyweight battle between Oleksandr Uysk and Fabio Wardley.
Wardley has very quickly risen through the ranks in the last couple of years. He has proven himself at each new level and surprised many, given that he had no real amateur background and emerged from the white collar scene.
He is the former British and Commonwealth champion whose power has often got him out of tricky situations where he seemed to be heading for a points defeat.
That happened against Justis Huni earlier this year and again last time out in October when he faced Joseph Parker.
In what was a competitive fight, the New Zealander’s experience seemed to be showing as he pulled away on the cards, only to be stopped in round 11 after Wardley landed a big shot and followed it up with a fine flurry of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight.
It could now pave the way for a shot at undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk, and speaking to The Stomping Ground, it was put to Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn that Usyk is a different kettle of fish to what Wardley has faced before.
“He is, but he’s also getting old. Again, Fabio, there’s another level obviously when you’re fighting Usyk and Fabio will be a massive underdog but he can punch and he’s game and he won’t be afraid to let his hands go, but that’s a different kind of challenge.”
Wardley has previously sparred with Usyk so he knows what it is like to be up close with him in the ring. That was many years ago, and both fighters have changed since, but it may be useful background for if they do come to blows in the early part of 2026 and Wardley gets the WBO world title shot he has earned himself.