Boxing
Fabio Wardley says Wilder will be on the shortlist if the Usyk fight falls through
Wardley made it clear that Wilder would still be in the mix if a bigger target proved out of reach.
“Obviously I would definitely have fun fighting Deontay Wilder,” Wardley told Fight Hub TV. “The number one priority is Daniel Dubois, to get through this fight and get rid of him. Then it would be Oleksandr Usyk, that would be my goal, but if this fight doesn’t happen or is simply impossible, then yes, third on the list will be Deontay Wilder.”
It’s another sign that Wilder’s name still has value, even after a challenging run in recent years. The former WBC champion is no longer viewed as he was in the best years of his career, but he remains one of the few non-title heavyweights who can still attract worldwide attention.
For Wardley, a fight with Wilder would likely generate a lot of interest in the UK and abroad. It would also provide a high-profile opponent with a knockout history and a recognizable profile, something many contenders cannot offer.
Before that happens, Wardley must deal with Dubois, who becomes a risky test for him and a much more pressing problem than future matchmaking talks.
If Wardley wins and Usyk’s route stalls, Wilder could still get back into the title conversation, which seemed closed until recently. That says as much about the heavyweight business as it does about Wilder himself.
Oleksandr Usyk strategically vacated the WBO belt in November 2025, especially to avoid a mandatory defense against Wardley. While fans like to talk about his undisputed legacy, the reality is that Usyk, 39, is in a cash-strapped phase of his career.
If Usyk can secure a third massive payday against Tyson Fury after fighting Rico Verhoeven in Egypt, he will have no incentive to risk his remaining titles against a younger, physically powerful fighter like Wardley for a fraction of the purse.
Forty-year-old Deontay Wilder is the ultimate opportunistic opponent for a juvenile champion like Wardley.
Even though he lost to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, Wilder’s “Bronze Bomber” brand is still a draw. For the general public, beating Wilder would still lend a hand Wardley’s career.
Wilder’s victory over Derek Chisora on April 4 showed that while his legs may be fading, the right-hander can still hold his own against domestic-level opponents.
For Wardley, Wilder means a huge payday and a chance to claim a scalp that not even Anthony Joshua has officially claimed. With Wilder in the mix, it’s a direct ticket back to a world title he believed was gone forever.
Carlos Adames said he can beat anyone at middleweight and super middleweight, but the statement was met with immediate backlash from newly crowned IBF super middleweight champion Osleys Iglesias. After Adames announced he was ready to fight, the undefeated Cuban responded on social media, calling for the fight to go ahead.
The exchange began when Carlos Adames stated that no one at 160 or 168 pounds could beat him. The fan quickly challenged him to fight Iglesias, one of the most hazardous names in the super middleweight division.
“Who are you? What I do in the ring confirms what I say here. Whenever you want, I’m ready to prove it to you,” Adames said in X.
That was met with a direct response from Iglesias (15-0, 14 KO), who is coming off an eighth-round victory over Pavel Silyagin and gained traction at 168 pounds after winning the IBF title.
“Enough talking. Let’s get on the same page and take the fight to the next level. I’m waiting for your call. My team is ready. I’m waiting for you,” said Osleys Iglesias.
Adames holds the middleweight title while Iglesias is one division above, so any fight would require one side to advance. This alone makes it more sedate than a routine online argument.
This exchange with Iglesias bears all the hallmarks of a potential bluff by Adames. Iglesias is now viewed by many as the 168-pound boss who stopped Pavel Silyagin in the eighth round just two weeks ago.
He’s a powerful southpaw with a 93% knockout rate, which isn’t usually the type of guy a champion fights unless he’s 100% sedate or looking for a huge payday.
Fans will soon find out if this was Adames’ social media stunt if he starts demanding a catchweight fight with Iglesias or tells him to drop down to 160 pounds. If he tells IBF 168-pound champion Iglesias to back off, he will simply be looking for a way out. It will be a foregone conclusion if he stays on X and does not lead to official negotiations between Adames’ promoters at PBC and Iglesias’ team.
The southpaw Iglesias is essentially a airy heavyweight who can reach 168 pounds and would also have significant height and an advantage over Adames. If Adames is sedate, he’s taking one of the toughest routes possible to make a super middleweight debut.
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Last updated: 23/04/2026 at 10:29
While talking about failed drug tests in boxing, host Simon Jordan cited an earlier estimate by panelist Spencer Oliver, who suggested the number could be as high as 70 percent. Hamed immediately disputed this statement.
“That’s a tough statement,” Hamed told talksport Boxing when the number was repeated during the episode.
“The same applies to me personally. Don’t take it personally. It’s like destroying the players, 70% of them,” Hamed said.
It was vintage “Naz” stuff, seeing him come out waving to players like that. He has always been devoted to the craft and clearly sees the 70% result as a slap in the face to the guys who live neat and do grueling work.
Oliver responded that this was his opinion based on repeated failed tests and suspicions surrounding the sport, not evidence against specific names. Hamed was not convinced and said that charges should only be brought when the militant was actually caught.
“You can’t accuse any single person unless he or she has been caught,” Hamed said.
Hamed’s point about “destroying” warriors is the most compelling part of his argument. When someone like Spencer Oliver comes up with a huge number, like 70%, it creates a lasting cloud of suspicion.
This means that even if a player delivers a legendary, career-defining performance, the first thing some fans will do is look for a reason to discredit him. For a legend like Hamed, this is an insult to the discipline required in this sport.
Hamed is the guy who shows me the bills. By insisting that no one can be charged until they are caught, he seeks to maintain some level of due process. In his eyes, if you have failed the VADA or UKAD exam, you are a pure athlete. Period.
What’s captivating is that Hamed doesn’t take it lightly. While supporting strict accountability policies, he says people should not be labeled as fraudsters without evidence. If the test comes back positive, you own it, regardless of tainted meat or supplement excuses.
This is an truthful position. He wants to protect the reputation of good actors in sports while making sure the hammer continues to fall on anyone caught breaking the rules.
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