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The Return of the King by Fabio Wardley

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Image: David Adeleye Says Joseph Parker Should Have Taken a Knee in Round 11 Against Fabio Wardley Instead of Trying to Survive Under Fire

Every now and then, a fighter appears in the world of heavyweight boxing who defies all odds. On February 15, 1978, in his eighth professional fight, Leon Spinks shocked the world and defeated Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas to become the heavyweight champion of the world.

On June 1, 2019, Andy Ruiz Jr. he faced Anthony Joshua in Fresh York after a tiny time and defeated him by TKO in the 7th round, becoming the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight champion. Now, on October 25, 2025, Fabio Wardley fought Joseph Parker at The O2 Arena in London, England and defeated him via 11th round TKO.

By defeating former WBO champion Parker, Wardley became the WBO interim champion and mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO title. Moreover, Usyk has stated that he is willing to fight the winner of Parker vs. Wardley.

Fabio Wardley has gained a reputation as the comeback king. On June 7 of this year, Wardley fought Justis Huni. Wardley didn’t have many expert records going into the Huni fight, with Wardley knocking him out in devastating fashion in the 10th round. Similarly, ringside commentators and referees made Wardley lose to Parker on Saturday night, when Wardley landed a series of unanswered punches on the Fresh Zealander, causing the referee to stop the fight in the 11th round.

The question now is whether Fabio Wardley will manage to face the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk, again. Experts again consider Wardley the underdog in this fight. However, the 30-year-old Briton has youth on his side. Wardley also packs a powerful punch. Just ask Justis Huni and Frazer Clarke! Additionally, Wardley never gives up, which will assist him against Usyk. Finally, Wardley has inside knowledge of Oleksandr Usyk’s boxing style, having previously been the Ukrainian’s sparring partner.

Fabio Wardley is therefore a real threat to Usyk. The World Champion would be well advised to avoid this match and withdraw if he is not 100% ready for the fire and fury Wardley will unleash on fight night. Oleksandr Usyk’s former promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, is aware of the risk Usyk would take if he fought Wardley. Krassyuk memorably said of Usyk taking this fight: “If he loses, people will only remember his defeat. Usyk’s status as undisputed and undefeated will remain with him for the rest of his days.”

Wardley wisely went on the record by stating that he is ready to fight Oleksandr Usyk at a place and date of Usyk’s choosing. Whether this fight takes place in Saudi Arabia or the UK, Usyk vs. Wardley is sure to be a fascinating fight. If this happens and Usyk loses, his legacy will obviously be tarnished. However, there will be a modern heavyweight champion of the world, and Fabio Wardley will be an silver-tongued and likable ambassador for heavyweight boxing around the world.

Go in 2026!

Romer Cherubiny

Independent journalist

Great Britain

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Mike Tyson lists who was better between Mayweather and Pacquiao in their prime

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Mike Tyson names who was better between Mayweather and Pacquiao in their primes

Mike Tyson has shared his verdict on who he ranks higher between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are considered two of the greatest boxing legends in recent history, and their success led to a battle between them at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May 2015.

It was Mayweather who won by unanimous decision, but now, more than a decade later, they will meet again for a second time while fighting at The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19.

Mayweather is now 49 and Pacquiao is 47, both men are well past their prime, and there is often debate among boxing fans as to which man was better than the other during the best years of their careers.

Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez, while Pacquiao is the only eight-division boxing world champion in history to boast victories over the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto.

Heavyweight icon Tyson once expressed his own opinion on who was the better of the two, ace revealed that he thinks Pacquiao has achieved more.

“Pacquiao is better than Floyd. He overcame adversity. He got knocked out, came back and had some sensational fights against opponents that outperformed any opponent Floyd had fought.”

Before Mayweather faces Pacquiao in a rematch, he is actually scheduled to face Tyson himself, and an event between the pair will take place soon, although it appears it will not take place on the originally announced April 25 date.

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Dmitry Bivol is targeting a fight with Canelo Alvarez or David Benavidez

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Image: The New Canelo? Jose Benavidez Sr. Says Son David Will Relentlessly Pursue Dmitry Bivol's Titles After WBC Vacancy

Undisputed lithe heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol could pursue a rematch with Canelo Alvarez or a fight with David Benavidez once he finishes his current duties in the division.

Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, outlined the champion’s preferred path in comments provided by Dan Rafael, explaining that Bivol intends to first pursue a mandatory IBF defense and then return to competing with Artur Beterbiev.


He is expected to have a mandatory defense against Michael Eifert this spring. The fight was scheduled for May 23 at a gala headlined by unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

After fulfilling this obligation, Bivol’s team wants to immediately start the third fight with Beterbiev. Their rivalry produced two closely watched fights, leaving unfinished business between two fighters who have dominated the lithe heavyweight division for the past several years and built one of the most respected rivalries in the sport.

More intriguing possibilities emerge after this trilogy. Rafael reported that Bivola’s camp sees a second fight with Canelo as one of the main options still available to the champion. Bivol defeated Alvarez by unanimous decision in 2022, handing the Mexican star one of the clearest defeats of his career.

Another potential opponent in question is Benavidez, who has moved up to lithe heavyweight and has been seeking a chance to fight the top fighters in the division. The fight between Bivol and Benavidez will pit the undefeated Mexican-American challenger against a champion who currently holds four major division titles.

Kornilov also suggested that Bivol could eventually prove himself at cruiserweight, although such an idea appears to be more of a long-term possibility than an immediate plan for the undefeated champion.

For now, the plan of action remains straightforward: fulfill the IBF mandate against Eifert, complete the trilogy with Beterbiev, and then fight one of the most crucial fights that could decide the final stage of Bivol’s career.

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Categories David Benavidez, Artur Beterbiev, Canelo Alvarez, Dmitry Bivol

Last update: 2026/03/10 at 16:34

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Jai Opetai’s undisputed dream lives on as the IBF releases a fresh statement regarding the status of the title

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Jai Opetaia undisputed dream still alive as IBF release new statement on title status

A fresh twist has been revealed in the story of Jai Opetai and the IBF cruiserweight title.

Last week it was reported that Opetaia was to be stripped of his IBF belt after the opening bell of his planned fight with Brandon Glanton on Sunday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, due to the fact that the fight was also for Zuffa’s inaugural belt.

Nevertheless, Opetaia continued his fight and declared a unanimous decision victory over Glanton extend their undefeated record to 30-0.

After the fight, Opetaia once again shared his desire to become undisputed in the cruiserweight division, and it appears he has been given the opportunity to do just that as – announced the IBF in a statement that they have not yet made a final decision to strip him of the title.

“Jai Opetaia made comments during the post-fight press conference that led the organization’s leadership to question whether his advisors fully and fully made him aware of the decisions he had to make in deciding to fight Brandon Glanton. The organization intends to take a closer look at this matter.”

The statement also included a mighty response to claims that they had decided not to sanction the fight due to feelings of “disrespect” in the run-up to the fight.

“The IBF categorically denies any suggestion or claim that it deliberately withdrew sanctions to cause harm. The IBF sanctioned the Opetaia vs. Glanton fight in good faith, expecting what was assured to happen.”

“The press conference held on March 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, made it clear that the inaugural Zuffa World Cruiserweight Championship would be held on March 8.

“The IBF, as previously stated on March 6, reserves the right to sanction title fights along with other sanctioning bodies that adhere to the same regulations that the IBF follows, and reserves the right to sanction title fights along with other fights that prepare the IBF cruiserweight title remains a subject of discussion.”

The final outcome as to whether Opetaia will indeed retain her title will be revealed in due course.

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