Fabio Wardley’s promoter Frank Warren says Oleksandr Usyk will have to fight Wardley next or relinquish his WBO heavyweight title now that he is the mandatory.
(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)
Climate Cool on Wardley
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, apparently was not “over excited” about the fight against Wardley when asked about the fight following Fabio’s 11th round knockout victory over Joseph Parker (36-4, 24 KOs) last Saturday night on October 25, 2025 at the O2 Arena in London.
Money over mandate
It is unknown if Usyk and Klimas are waiting for a bigger fight against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua. These would be bigger paydays for Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) and would carry less risk due to the advanced ages of the two Brits. Fury is 37 and carrying a few extra pounds around his waist, while Joshua is 36 and coming off a bad knockout loss.
“They said before the fight that they would fight the winner,” said promoter Frank Warren talkSport Boxing after host Jim White reported that Oleksandr Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas was “with all due respect not too excited about the prospect of fighting Fabio” following his win over Joseph Parker.
There won’t be as much of a setback for Usyk if he vacates his WBO title to avoid Wardley, compared to if he gives up a belt to swing a fight against 20-year-old Moses Itauma. Avoiding the 30-year-old Wardley because he’s older and not as hyped up as the future of the heavyweight division like Itauma is doesn’t seem that bad.
It would only make sense for Usyk to vacate the WBO title if he is going to do so, so he can face Joshua or Fury next. He wouldn’t even have to evacuate if he paid Wardley a step aside. Oleksander got more than enough money to do that.
“The WBO ordered it. So, it’s up to him. He fights him or gives up the belt, or he gets stripped,” Warren said of Usyk. “I hope he doesn’t because I feel this fight will fill Wembley. We had a good turnout (for Parker vs. Wardley) on Saturday. It’s a fight now.”
Usyk’s silence speaks
It’s not a good sign that Usyk hasn’t said a word since Wardley’s victory over Parker. Making it look worse is talkSport host Jim White’s comment about Usyk’s manager, Klimas, not being “excited” about Wardley being an option for his next fight.
“He (Wardley) has the power. He’s shown it in 19 out of 20 fights. He comes from behind and does it. Fabio deserves his chance on Usyk. It will sell out Wembley,” Warren said.
Last updated on 27/10/2025
