2025-12-10 12:11:44

Fabio Wardley will return to the ring in April 2026, his promoter Frank Warren has said.

After Oleksandr Usyk, 38, chose to vacate his WBO heavyweight belt rather than defend it against The Barista, 30, early next year, Wardley has been on the hunt for his next opponent, and Warren has now confirmed Wardley’s next appearance has now shifted to the spring.

Speaking to talkSPORT about the collapsed Usyk fight, the Queensberry Promotions boss said: “Before the fight, Usyk did say he’d fight the winner. And now he’s changed his mind.

“He obviously feels the risk to the reward isn’t justified … Fabio will be returning to the ring in April now. We are going to get some lunch and decide what we are doing. There are plenty of options.”

Wardley – who beat Joseph Parker, 33, to become the mandatory challenger to The Cat’s belt – admitted he was puzzled by Usyk’s decision to bow out, particularly after he had already been granted an extension to delay his mandatory defence.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I don’t necessarily know if I can understand it… It was a bit of a strange one, because initially he took a bit of a break. He was allowed an absence, an extension on the belt, and then to give it up just seems a bit of a strange move. I’m not too sure what he was thinking.”

The Barista has now entered a career-first period as a world champion seeking his maiden challenger, with Warren’s team weighing up several high-profile contenders.

Wardley said he remains prepared for any leading heavyweight, including Anthony Joshua, 36.

He said: “One thing I’ve always had through my career is the mantra of never shying away or backing down, always taking on the biggest next fight, and if that would be him [Joshua] then it would be a pleasure to do so.”

AJ could emerge as an option in 2026, although he is currently focused on his upcoming Miami clash with Jake Paul, 28, on December 19.

The Problem Child was originally scheduled to face Gervonta Davis in November before allegations against Tank forced the bout’s cancellation.

Wardley defended Joshua’s lucrative alternative, saying he understood it “very much from the monetary standpoint”.

He added: “When a pot of money is put in front of you like that, I think 99 per cent of people are saying ‘yes’. For AJ… it’s almost too good to be true, so why would you say no?”

Other names in the frame for Wardley include Filip Hrgovic, 33, and Zhilei Zhang, 42, ranked No.2 and No.3 with the WBO, while WBO No.1 Moses Itauma, 20, is an unlikely candidate due to both fighters sharing trainer Ben Davison.

A domestic showdown with Daniel Dubois, 28, remains a strong possibility after Dynamite’s recent failed bid for the undisputed crown.

Wardley and Warren will meet next week to finalise plans, but the newly crowned champion appears set for a defining spring return as he adjusts to life at the top of the heavyweight division.

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