Fabio Wardley could one day face Oleksandr Usyk in a heavyweight unification — but only if the British contender proves he can compete at the very highest level. Wardley put himself in position last year when he beat Joseph Parker to claim the WBO interim title, and he has since been upgraded to WBO world champion.
Usyk, however, vacated the full WBO belt while keeping the WBC, WBA and IBF straps as he explores different options. Next month the unbeaten Ukrainian will box kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in Giza, with all focus on that matchup for now.
Sergey Lapin, chief executive of Usyk’s promotional outfit Ready To Fight, told Sky Sports that a Wardley clash is possible but contingent on Wardley’s continued development: “If Fabio Wardley proves himself at the highest level, he can definitely become part of that conversation.” Lapin suggested beating a top opponent such as Daniel Dubois — the former IBF champion who famously knocked out Anthony Joshua — would be an ideal way for Wardley to force a unification shot.
Lapin stressed Usyk’s appetite for big challenges: “Becoming a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion would be something historic, and Oleksandr is always motivated by the biggest challenges.” At the same time, he emphasised that Ready To Fight is not building plans around a single name. “There are several strong contenders in the division, and we are focused on the biggest and most meaningful fights available.”
Aside from a potential showdown with the WBO titlist, Usyk could also consider a defence against Agit Kabayel, the German heavyweight who is the WBC mandatory. “If it’s Fabio Wardley, it could potentially be for undisputed. If it’s Agit Kabayel, it would more likely be a title defence,” Lapin said. “But we don’t like to look too far ahead. Right now, we have a fight with Rico Verhoeven, and all our focus is on that.”
Usyk’s record and legacy were also discussed. An Olympic gold medallist who remains undefeated as a professional, Usyk was undisputed at cruiserweight and has twice achieved undisputed status at heavyweight, accomplishments that few fighters in the modern era can match.
“Oleksandr has already achieved what very few fighters in history have done, so now it’s not about chasing titles for the sake of it,” Lapin explained. He added that Usyk now weighs both sporting and business factors when making career choices and is keen to leave a lasting impact on the sport, including helping the next generation through projects such as Ready To Fight.
For now, the immediate picture is clear: Usyk prepares for Verhoeven, Wardley looks to cement his standing — possibly against Dubois — and any talk of unification will depend on performances in the coming months.