Fabio Wardley ensured 2025 would be remembered. Now 2026 threatens to define him.
The 31-year-old British heavyweight produced a Knockout of the Year contender in May, hauling himself from behind on the scorecards to stop Justis Huni in dramatic fashion. Five months later, Wardley went one better, halting former world champion Joseph Parker to cap the finest year of his career.
That victory earned Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs), the WBO interim title and, following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish the belt, the Ipswich man was elevated to full world champion. In doing so, he joined Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury on the short list of British heavyweights to have held a recognised world title in the modern era.
An inaugural defence against Derek Chisora has been mooted, but Wardley’s rapid ascent has also attracted the attention of Fury, who recently confirmed that his January 2025 retirement is over and that he plans to return in 2026. The former lineal champion will have no shortage of options, yet Wardley is one name Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) has openly said he would be keen to face later in the year.
Before that, however, the expectation is that the “Gypsy King” will take a warm-up fight, having not boxed since suffering a second defeat to Usyk in December 2024.
Wardley, for his part, is in no rush to duck anyone. Speaking to Boxing Social, the champion gave a typically relaxed response to Fury’s remarks, but hopes a warm-up fight does not become a “banana skin” that derails their potential clash.
“I hope he’s training hard and shedding the pounds. I think he’s in Thailand or somewhere like that enjoying the sun. I hope they’re having a good time out there.
“If he is going to have a little warm-up, I hope he comes through it and that it’s not a banana skin. And look, if that’s really what you want to do, I don’t think you need to — it’s just little old me, don’t worry about it. I’m no trouble.
“But if you do need one, that’s fine. Do what you’ve got to do. Then, when you’re done, give me a call.”
While nothing has been confirmed regarding Fury’s next opponent or return date, Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) has emerged as a leading contender to face the 37-year-old.
Whether it is Chisora, Fury or another challenger entirely, Wardley enters 2026 not chasing opportunity — but daring it to come and find him.
