Fabio Wardley has urged undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to accept the challenge of a showdown between them, calling himself "the danger man" in the division. The 30-year-old Ipswich fighter is now the WBO's number one challenger for Usyk's crown after stopping New Zealand's Joseph Parker in the 11th round at London's O2 Arena on Saturday.
Wardley believes his unpredictable and raw style could unsettle Usyk, who has won all 24 professional bouts and is widely considered the pound-for-pound star of boxing. The British fighter started boxing at 20, learning the trade through unlicensed white-collar scenes while working in recruitment, with no amateur experience to speak of.
Wardley's knockout record stands at 19 stoppages in 20 wins, although some felt the bout against Parker was stopped prematurely. He defends referee Howard Foster's decision, saying it was entirely fair and that he had a duty of care to himself to protect himself while showing the ref he could still continue fighting.
A stadium fight between Wardley and Usyk has been mooted for next year, with negotiations expected to begin soon. Promoter Frank Warren has stated that Wardley could be upgraded from WBO 'interim' to full world champion if Usyk decides to vacate his belts. However, Wardley would prefer to earn the title in the ring against Usyk.
Wardley's confidence and determination have raised eyebrows in the boxing community, with many of his compatriots having fallen short against Usyk. The Ipswich fighter is now ready to take on the challenge, stating that he would put everything into the fight and prove himself as Britain's first four-belt undisputed heavyweight world champion.
The potential showdown between Wardley and Usyk has generated significant interest among boxing fans, with some speculating that it could be one of the most unlikely heavyweight title fights in recent memory.
Wardley believes his unpredictable and raw style could unsettle Usyk, who has won all 24 professional bouts and is widely considered the pound-for-pound star of boxing. The British fighter started boxing at 20, learning the trade through unlicensed white-collar scenes while working in recruitment, with no amateur experience to speak of.
Wardley's knockout record stands at 19 stoppages in 20 wins, although some felt the bout against Parker was stopped prematurely. He defends referee Howard Foster's decision, saying it was entirely fair and that he had a duty of care to himself to protect himself while showing the ref he could still continue fighting.
A stadium fight between Wardley and Usyk has been mooted for next year, with negotiations expected to begin soon. Promoter Frank Warren has stated that Wardley could be upgraded from WBO 'interim' to full world champion if Usyk decides to vacate his belts. However, Wardley would prefer to earn the title in the ring against Usyk.
Wardley's confidence and determination have raised eyebrows in the boxing community, with many of his compatriots having fallen short against Usyk. The Ipswich fighter is now ready to take on the challenge, stating that he would put everything into the fight and prove himself as Britain's first four-belt undisputed heavyweight world champion.
The potential showdown between Wardley and Usyk has generated significant interest among boxing fans, with some speculating that it could be one of the most unlikely heavyweight title fights in recent memory.
Fabio Wardley's raw style might just be the perfect test for Oleksandr Usyk's skills! The fact that Wardley went from unlicensed white-collar scenes to becoming a top contender shows his determination and ability to adapt. I'm curious to see how he'll fare against the undefeated Usyk, who's been dominating the division for years 
. A stadium fight next year sounds like a great idea - can't wait to see these two go head-to-head in the ring! 
i mean, usyk is on a whole other level but wardley's style could potentially catch him off guard... maybe? 
check out wardley's stats and knockout record it's insane! 19 stoppages in 20 wins lol. what do you guys think? should wardley take the challenge or play it safe? 
i mean, who woulda thought a 30 yr old recruit from unlicenced whitecollar scenes wd b da next big thing in boxing? 
. personally, i think wardley's got the skills 2 take down usyk & become britains 1st four-belt undisputed heavyweight world champ 
! he's gotta be da fav among boxing fans rn tho 
. He reminds me of old-school Mike Tyson, you know, the baddest man on the planet 
. This guy's raw style and willingness to take risks is infectious, and I think it could be exactly what Oleksandr Usyk needs – a challenge from someone who's not afraid to get his hands dirty 
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Like, what's next, a battle between a biker and a ninja?! 
Seriously though, Wardley's got some serious skills and that knockout record is INSANE! 19 stoppages in 20 wins? That's like me going on a hot streak of making dad jokes at work – it just never ends! 