“Fabio Wardley gives fans real value”

Commentator Ade Oledipo says he believes that Fabio Wardley provides “more value for money” than anyone in the heavyweight division right now. Wardley’s everyday, high-volume offense makes him must-watch TV for everyone. Ade says Wardley is already a “superstar”.

In the recent 11th round come-from-behind knockout of WBO interim champion Joseph Parker on October 25, he showed a great chin and willingness to stand in the trenches and fight.

Box Office Brutality

Fabio’s style of fighting differs from that of undefeated #1 WBA and #1 WBO Moses Itauma in that he throws more punches and stays there, willing to take shots. Itauma is a pot-shot fighter who retreats like smaller fighters like Shakur Stevenson do when pressured. It’s not as entertaining to watch as Wardley.

Fabio’s win over Parker (36-4-, 24 KOs) makes him the mandatory challenger for WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. It is still unclear whether Usyk will choose to fight Wardley or vacate his WBO title. He will still hold three other belts, so it wouldn’t be all bad for Usyk if he decided to go in a different direction.

“We’ve got to get after Fabio Wardley. That kid’s a superstar, he really is,” Ade Oladipo said. talkSport Boxing. “His story is incredible. He has everything. He has the look. He speaks so well. Is there a boxer that gives you more value for money when you buy a ticket as Fabio Wardley?”

It would be in Queensberry’s best interest not to pit Wardley and Itauma against each other any time soon. They have to build those two heavyweights separately to turn them both into stars before finally pitting them against each other. That’s if they keep winning.

Charisma that connects

Wardley is much more well spoken and personable than Itauma. There is a huge difference in charisma between them. Itauma is not a good interviewer because of his slow way of speaking and his expressionless face. Does not show emotion.

“No, I don’t,” Gareth A. Davies said of Wardley giving more value for money than anyone. “He’s very articulate. He’s the kind of guy who can appeal to the British public in the mainstream. Yes, he entertains.”

It will be interesting to see if Usyk chooses to defend against Wardley or pursue a different path, such as a fight with Anthony Joshua or perhaps Tyson Fury, if he comes out of retirement to face him in a trilogy.

Usyk’s next headache

“He’s not sitting on the edge of whether Oleksandr Usyk isn’t fighting to have the WBO belt in his own home,” Gareth said. “If Oleksandr Usyk fights him, it’s an incredible story of a kid who came from nowhere. He went to the top of the sport.”

Usyk is now 38, and it will be a tough fight for him to take on Wardley, as he could not rely on falling apart quickly like Daniel Dubois did in their rematch on July 19, 2025. Usyk knocked out Dubois in five rounds.

“#3 behind Usyk and Tyson Fury,” Gareth said when asked where he ranked Wardley in the heavyweight division. “Yes, because of Kabayel’s inactivity. He is a rare specimen. He has a chin.”