“I’ve been in this situation before where he said he’d fight the winner, and then didn’t fight me,” Wardley said. Fight Hub TV. “It’s not something I’m going to hold my breath about.”
The business of boxing
Wardley’s concern is based on a harsh truth: the “risk vs. reward” calculation for Usyk does not favor the British champion. For the united king, a fight with Wardley presents a lot of trouble with very little of the green stuff to show for it.
Usyk has much more lucrative options on the table. Despite Tyson Fury’s string of tough results, a trilogy bout remains a massive commercial draw. Similarly, a potential clash with Anthony Joshua or a crossover star offers the kind of generational richness that a Wardley fight simply cannot match.
Oleksandr has already reached the summit. Facing a fresh, hungry and powerful heavy hitter like Wardley, who boasts a 95% knockout rate, is a trap fight. If Usyk wins, critics will say he beat a less experienced champion. If he loses, he drops his belts for a fighter without the global brand of a Fury or Joshua.
The obstacles
The current heavyweight landscape confirms Wardley’s suspicions. Usyk moves on to international spectacles, such as his upcoming WBC title defense against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026 in Egypt. These events prioritize global exposure and massive payouts over traditional mandatory road giving.
Upcoming Heavyweight Schedule
- Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois on May 9
- Olekandr Usyk vs Oleksandr Usyk Rich Verhoeven on May 23
- Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga on July 25
- Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua TBD
Before any serious talk of Usyk can happen, Wardley has a massive hurdle right in front of him. This Saturday he makes the first defense of his WBO world title against Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
Even if Wardley puts in a spectacular performance, he could find himself in a holding pattern as the legends of the division go about their business. Despite the uncertainty, Wardley remains ready.
“If he wants to fight, you don’t have to call,” Wardley said. “Send a homing pigeon.”
The pigeons stay put. Wardley is a dangerous man to face for a smaller paycheck, and in the current climate of heavyweight boxing, that makes him the odd man out in the title picture.
