Having been elevated to full world champion, attention now turns to who Fabio Wardley, 20-0-1 (19 KOs), will defend his WBO heavyweight title against in 2026.
Last week the 30-year-old received confirmation after former undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk chose to vacate the belt. Remarkably, the Ukrainian maestro could yet become a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion if he decides to fight for his old title once more.
Whether Usyk-Wardley ever materialises remains unclear, but there will be no shortage of contenders for the Ipswich man’s first defence. Names from Daniel Dubois to Derek Chisora have circulated in recent days, but one who could be standing opposite Wardley next year is Anthony Joshua, 28-4 (25 KOs). The 36-year-old returns next month in an eight-round crossover bout against Jake Paul, but reclaiming a world title and becoming a three-time champion remains the ultimate goal for ‘AJ’.
Carl Froch — never short of an opinion on Joshua — offered his view on a potential Wardley-Joshua showdown during an episode of Froch On Fighting, which featured the newly crowned champion as his guest.
“I actually said in a question last week that you would potentially KO Anthony Joshua if you fought him. That’s not just because I think AJ’s past his best –– because you carry a monster punch. If you fought him now I think you’ve got a massive chance of knocking him out because he fights quite shy now. He’s a bit unsure of himself.
“Would you go along with that? How would you see you going with AJ now?”
Wardley, riding the crest of a wave after his stoppage win over former champion Joseph Parker, responded:
“I’d back myself to knock out anyone in the heavyweight division. I carry power to damage anyone, whether it be AJ, whoever else you want to pick and put in front of me. I don’t doubt that if I catch them, if I get to them, they’re going to feel it. They’re going to know they’ve been hit. It’s something I would back myself in.”
On the potential matchup, Wardley told the BBC that it would be an ‘honour’ to share the ring with the former champion.
“I’d never say no to anyone. AJ is one of the reasons that I got into boxing. He kind of changed the face of UK boxing from when he got into the sport and really brought it back to life in a sense. It would be an honour to share the ring with him.”
