Fabio Wardley has ruled out one potential challenger as he prepares for the first defence of his WBO heavyweight title.
The 31-year-old Ipswich native has surged from domestic contender to world champion in emphatic fashion following two career-defining victories in 2025.
Wardley realised a long-held ambition in June when he headlined at Portman Road against Justis Huni. On the brink of defeat, Wardley detonated a right hand to score a dramatic knockout that sent the home crowd into delirium.
That was only the beginning. Wardley’s world title ambitions gathered further momentum in October when he captured the WBO interim belt, stopping former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in the 11th round with his trademark power. The final piece soon followed when undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated the WBO title, elevating Wardley to full world champion status.
In the current WBO rankings, fast-rising prospect Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) sits at number one, a position he also occupies with the WBA. However, Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) has explained to The Ring why a meeting with the 21-year-old is not currently on the table.
“Right now we very much see each other as stablemates and he is someone I train next to. With us being in the same gym next to each other, it’s just an impossibility right now.”
Both fighters train under Ben Davison in Harlow, making a bout between them unlikely unless one were to leave the gym and seek a new training setup.
For now, Itauma’s focus remains on recovery after his January 24 bout with Jermaine Franklin was postponed until March due to injury. Wardley, meanwhile, awaits confirmation of his first title defence, with veteran former challenger Derek Chisora a name that continues to be mentioned.
