Oleksandr Usyk's team has stated that Fabio Wardley must first "prove himself at the highest level" before a unification fight between the two heavyweight champions can be considered. Usyk, currently holding the WBC, WBA, and IBF belts, vacated his full WBO title to pursue other avenues.
Wardley, who recently became the WBO world champion, is slated to face Daniel Dubois this weekend. Usyk’s camp indicated that Wardley's victory over Joseph Parker last year, which secured him the WBO Interim title, was a step in the right direction, but further demonstrations of his standing are required.
Fabio Wardley, however, appears skeptical about the prospect of facing Usyk, citing past experiences. He told Boxing News24 that he isn't "holding his breath" for the unification bout, suggesting a history of broken promises. Wardley also questioned Usyk's recent fight choices, implying they bypass direct challenges from him. He remarked, "If he wants to fight, he don’t need to call, he can send a carrier pigeon if you want. But I’ve been in a similar situation where he came out previously and said he would fight the winner of me versus Parker and then it was me and then he didn’t fight me."
Read More: Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Title Fight in Manchester Saturday
Wardley himself has been vocal about his ambition to unify the heavyweight division. Following his stoppage victory against Joseph Parker, Wardley challenged Usyk, stating, "Ultimately, it could be in my back garden, I wouldn’t care.” He expressed a desire to pit himself against Usyk for a "world title," indicating it's the ultimate goal. His promoter, Frank Warren, had previously suggested that negotiations for a Usyk-Wardley unification fight were underway, targeting a March date in 2025, following the WBO's order for Usyk to defend against the winner of the Parker bout.
Wardley, who is undefeated, sees Usyk as "the pinnacle at the moment" and desires to unify all the belts. He stated, "I can mix it with these guys." The heavyweight landscape remains in flux, with Wardley's upcoming bout against Daniel Dubois potentially shaping future title matchups.
Read More: Thunder Beat Lakers 125-107, Take 2-0 Series Lead
Background:
Fabio Wardley secured the WBO world championship after an impressive victory over Joseph Parker. Oleksandr Usyk, a unified champion, has relinquished his WBO title. The WBO has reportedly ordered Usyk to face the winner of the Wardley-Dubois contest. Wardley has a history of calling out Usyk and expressing a strong desire for a unification fight. He has questioned the sincerity of Usyk's team regarding potential future matchups, referencing a prior instance where a promised fight did not materialize. Usyk's team, meanwhile, maintains that Wardley needs to further establish his credentials at the elite level.
