2026-05-09 11:30:42
Fabio Wardley thinks it is “disappointing” that Oleksandr Usyk will fight Rico Verhoeven next.
The 31-year-old boxer made no secret of the fact he wanted to defend his heavyweight title against the Ukrainian so wasn’t happy when the undisputed champion opted to relinquish his WBO title rather than get in the ring with him, and will instead defend his WBC belt against the Dutch kickboxer later this month.
Fabio told The Guardian newspaper: “My opinions are similar to the boxing community. It’s underwhelming but there is a level of understanding for me as a fighter. I get the fact that, at this stage of his career and after everything he has achieved, Usyk has earned the right to do what he wants.
“But that doesn’t make it any less disappointing, especially for me wanting to fight him. But I’m not going to gripe about it. This is boxing and it’s not always about who is most deserving. Boxing places an intrinsic value on other things.”
Later this year, Anthony Joshua will face Tyson Fury, and Fabio believes it will by the end of an era.
He said: “It’s the conclusion for that era of boxers.
“It’s also a fight that’s very much past its sell-by date but there’s no way I’m not going to watch it. Whatever price tag they put on it, people will tune in because the allure around that fight will always be there.”
Fabio believes he, his upcoming opponent Daniel Dubois, and Moses Itauma are the future of heavyweight boxing.
He said: “We’re leading the pack and you can also throw Daniel in there as he’s already been a world champion. The three of us are the next fighters to lead heavyweight boxing.”
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