Fabio Wardley Eager to Face Tyson Fury
Fabio Wardley has expressed his eagerness to step into the ring against Tyson Fury, following the latter’s recent announcement about coming out of retirement. This week, Fury, who had previously declared his retirement from boxing a year ago, mentioned Wardley as a potential opponent for his return to the sport.
Wardley’s Response to Fury’s Comeback
The WBO heavyweight champion, Wardley, welcomed the opportunity to face Fury, stating to Sky Sports, “I would be honored to take on the challenge. This fight is something I’m very enthusiastic about. I aim to target the top names in the heavyweight division, and Tyson is undoubtedly among them. So feel free to reach out!”
Wardley’s Goals in the Heavyweight Division
At 31 years old, Wardley, along with 37-year-old Fury, is under the same promoter, Frank Warren. Wardley clinched the interim WBO title last October by defeating Joseph Parker, later being elevated to the official champion status when the current holder Oleksandr Usyk vacated his title, although Usyk continues to hold the other major heavyweight belts.
Wardley explained, “Getting a shot at Usyk is my ultimate goal. Once I won the belt, I was looking forward to that clash; he is the current top contender and the one I want to face eventually. If that opportunity doesn’t arrive soon, I hope to challenge him later in the year. But finding myself in the ring against Oleksandr Usyk is my main priority.”
Potential Opponents and Future Matchups
Wardley acknowledged Usyk’s ongoing discussions about a match with Deontay Wilder, a fellow heavyweight with whom Usyk has yet to compete. “In light of that situation, Tyson Fury would be a fantastic second option for me. He’s a major personality and a significant figure within the boxing world,” he added.
Reflecting on the heavyweight scene, Wardley noted that both Dubois and Chisora could also be potential opponents for him in future bouts. Chisora, who is aiming for a grand finale to his career, would like a world-title shot as he approaches the milestone of 50 fights. “Derek is pursuing a strong finish and he’s currently at 49 fights. That title shot could be the perfect way for him to conclude his career. We’re having some preliminary discussions about that matchup,” Wardley stated.
Moreover, he sees a future fight against Dubois as another thrilling prospect. Wardley noted, “A matchup with Dubois would be exceptional. Given that he hasn’t secured a victory since his defeat to Usyk in July, he may need a preparatory win before we could possibly face each other later this year.”
Current Status of Wardley and Fury
While Wardley remains unbeaten following his victory over Parker, Fury’s recent history includes consecutive losses to Usyk in 2024, marking the first defeats of his professional career after being outpointed in two contests against the Ukrainian heavyweight champion in Saudi Arabia.
