Fabio Wardley says he’s hoping Oleksandr Usyk will change his mind about fighting him and give him a call. It’s understandable why Fabio is urging Usyk to reconsider, as he’d have made tens of millions challenging Usyk for the WBO belt in addition to his three other titles.
Usyk relinquished his WBO belt this week, on November 17th, rather than defend it against the interim champion Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs). On the same day, the WBO elevated Wardley to the new champion.
The Dubois–Hrgovic–Chisora Plan B
As the new WBO champion, Wardley’s chances for a big payday along the lines of what he would have gotten fighting Usyk are limited. These are the three names being floated for Farbio’s first title defense:
- Daniel Dubois
- Filip Hrgovic
- Derek Chisora
Turki Factor: Will He Step In?
If Turki Alalshikh were involved, a fight against Dubois would bring in massive money for the 30-year-old Wardley. However, it’s doubtful he will, since it’s not a gigantic marquee fight. Dubois made a fortune in his last fight against Usyk, earning an estimated $71 million. A fight between Fabio and Oleksandr would likely create more interest due to Wardley’s communication skills.
Wardley knocked out WBO interim champion Joseph Parker in the 11th round on October 25, 2025, in London. At the time, the victory put Fabio next in line to challenge Usyk for his WBO belt.
Why Usyk Vacated Instead
Oleksandr’s decision to vacate the title was viewed as a business move on his part, as he can make more money defending against Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury in 2026 if one of those two chooses to face him.
AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has already said that he wants to fight for a world title in 2026 after he gets his “run-out” fight against Jake Paul out of the way on December 19, 2025. It’s still unclear if Fury will come out of retirement to try to avenge his two losses to Usyk. He still appears bitter about his defeats, complaining about how he felt he’d won them both.
“I’d pick Oleksandr Usyk. That would be the fight that I would want. It was a fight that I wanted,” said Fabio Wardley to Sky Sports News, questioning Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate his WBO title rather than defending it against him.
“That was where me and my team were aiming. That was where our sights were heading after we finished our fight on October 25th [against Joseph Parker] after we won and got the [WBO] interim,” said Fabio.
Wardley would have made an absolute fortune fighting Usyk. The money he’d have earned would have made him a wealthy man. It’s understandable why Fabio is disappointed about Usyk choosing to vacate his WBO belt rather than face him.
“Reconsider, Oleksandr”
“We were all gearing for that fight, and obviously the main man [Usyk] himself. If he’s watching or his team is watching, maybe have a little reconsideration and maybe give me a call, and we can work something out,” said Wardley.
Usyk’s Risk–Reward Math
I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were Wardley, waiting for Usyk to change his mind about his disinterest in fighting him. It’s a bad style match-up for him going up against a young, volume puncher with power and a steel chin.
Usyk could lose to Wardley, ending his career on a sour note. Usyk not only has a better chance of beating the aging Joshua and Fury, but the money would be far better.