Did Oleksandr Usyk duck Fabio Wardley to preserve his unbeaten 24-0 record? Many fans believe that to be the case after how Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) destroyed Joseph Parker last October. Usyk says it was a “business” decision, but people don’t buy that excuse.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) vacated his WBO heavyweight title last month to avoid the mandatory challenger Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs), which took away his undisputed status.
Oliver believes that Wardley was viewed as a threat after how he’d knocked out WBO interim champion Joseph Parker in the 11th round on October 25, 2025.
Business Excuse
Spencer says Oleksandr may have felt Parker was going to win before his clash with Fabio. But when Wardley surprisingly beat him, he recognized the risk and gave up the WBO belt soon after.
Usyk said in an interview this week that his rationale for not fighting Wardley was “business” related. He felt that it was more “interesting” to face the better-known 33-year-old Parker than the unbeaten younger Wardley.
To fans, it looked like a classic duck job by Usyk, who saw that the high-volume, heavy-punching Wardley was a far different type of fighter than the guys he’d beaten since moving up to heavyweight, so he vacated to avoid him. The steel-chinned Wardley is a nightmarish type of match-up for Usyk compared to he four heavyweights that he’d beaten to gain his fame in the division:
- Tyson Fury – slow and old
- Anthony Joshua – robotic and over-muscled
- Daniel Dubois – chin problem and lacking in confidence
- Derek Chisora – journeyman
“This is sport and business. If win Parker, for me, it’s interesting. Win Wardley, for me, it’s not interesting,” said Oleksandr Usyk to Boxing King Media about why he chose to vacate his WBO heavyweight title on November 17, 2025, rather than face his then mandatory Fabio Wardley. “Okay, here’s your belt. Maybe later we can fight.”
Why Wardley Became “Too Dangerous”
“Joseph Parker had a more recognizable name, and it was a fight he felt he could win. Oleksandr Usyk probably felt that Parker could beat Fabio Wardley. Parker was a big favorite going into that fight,” said commentator Spencer Oliver.
“If you look at Farbio Wardley from Oleksandr Usyk’s side, he’s looking at it and going, ‘This guy is potentially a dangerous guy.'”