Briton Fabio Wardley insists he still has work to do to fully earn the title of world heavyweight champion, despite being promoted to WBO world champion following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish the belt. Speaking to BBC Sport, the Ipswich fighter said he has a “point to prove” to fans and aims to cement his status by defending the title in the ring.
Wardley’s Rise to World Champion
Wardley’s journey has been remarkable. Born in Ipswich, he only began boxing at the age of 20, transitioning from the unlicensed white-collar circuit to the professional ranks. Since his debut in 2017, he has accumulated 20 wins with one draw, including 19 stoppages, showcasing his formidable knockout power.
His rise to prominence includes:
- A dramatic victory over Justis Huni in June, where Wardley was behind on the scorecards but delivered a one-punch knockout in the 10th round.
- His October win against Joseph Parker, stopping the New Zealander in the 11th round despite appearing to trail in the fight.
This ascent has made him the 11th Briton to hold a heavyweight world title, a significant milestone in UK boxing history.
Wardley on Earning the Title
Despite being promoted to full WBO champion after Usyk relinquished the belt, Wardley feels he still needs to fully earn the crown in the eyes of some fans.
“It’s always nicer to do it properly, do it in the ring, have the belt handed to you, shake hands with your opponent after and say ‘look, good fight, thank you,’” Wardley said.
He added:
“There’s a level of earning it I will still have to do – but it’s an annoying one as well, because if Usyk had relinquished [the title] three or four weeks ago, it would have been on the line for the Joseph Parker fight.”
Wardley is determined to defend the belt in the ring and show fans he deserves his world champion status.
Future Plans and Defending the Title
Discussions over Wardley’s first title defense are yet to begin, but the champion is open to both domestic and international opponents.
“There’s a long list of fighters that could be opponents out there. Some great domestic fights, some great international fights as well. We could do it in the UK, we could do it abroad, who knows?”
Wardley aims to make a few defenses before pursuing unification bouts later next year, potentially against Usyk, if he still holds other major belts, or another reigning champion.
Potential Clash with Anthony Joshua
Wardley has expressed that he would welcome a fight with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, the two-time world champion. Both boxers train under coach Ben Davison, though reports suggest Joshua may have parted ways with him.
“I’d never say no to anyone. AJ is one of the reasons 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,” Wardley said.
Such a matchup would represent a high-profile domestic clash with enormous fan and media interest, potentially elevating Wardley’s standing in global heavyweight boxing.
Summary
Fabio Wardley’s career trajectory reflects determination, power, and rapid progress in professional boxing. While officially a world heavyweight champion, he is motivated to prove his legitimacy through in-ring defenses and possible unification bouts, aiming to fully solidify his legacy among British boxing greats.
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