Wardley Eyes Usyk, Fury for 2026 Title Defense

Fabio Wardley, the newly crowned WBO heavyweight champion from Ipswich, England, has set his sights on a marquee return to the ring in April or May 2026, prioritizing bouts against division luminaries Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury while fielding interest from other top contenders.

Wardley earned full championship status in November 2025 after Usyk vacated the WBO belt to pursue other opportunities, including a planned defense against Deontay Wilder. The 31-year-old's elevation followed a dramatic 11th-round knockout of Joseph Parker in October 2025, a victory that secured the interim title and positioned Wardley as the mandatory challenger. That win capped a gritty stretch for Wardley, who rallied from behind on the scorecards in his previous outing against Justis Harty, delivering a late stoppage to extend his professional record to 20-1 with 19 knockouts.

With no mandatory opponent currently mandated, Wardley's first defense will be a voluntary affair, allowing flexibility in opponent selection. Speaking to Sky Sports, Wardley expressed relief at reaching the top after years of pursuit. "Throughout my career, I've always been the one chasing, hunting, the people with world...