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“Fabio Wardley gives fans real value”

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Image: Fabio Wardley Dares Usyk to Step Into Ipswich’s Lion’s Den: “I’ve Earned It — Let’s Go, Baby!”

Commentator Ade Oledipo says he believes Fabio Wardley delivers “more value for money” than anyone else in the heavyweight division currently. Wardley’s versatile and highly publicized offense makes him a must-watch on TV for everyone. Ade says Wardley is already a “superstar.”

In a recent 11th round knockout from behind of WBO interim champion Joseph Parker on October 25, he showed a sturdy chin and a willingness to stand in the trenches and fight.

Box office brutality

Fabio’s fighting style differs from undefeated WBA No. 1 and WBO No. 1 Moses Itauma in that he throws more punches and stays there, willing to take shots. Itauma is a potshot fighter who retreats under pressure just like lesser fighters like Shakur Stevenson. It’s not as fun to watch as Wardley.

Fabio’s victory over Parker (36-4-, 24 KO) makes him a mandatory challenger to the title of WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. It is still unclear whether Usyk will decide to fight Wardley or relinquish the WBO title. He would still have three other belts, so it wouldn’t be entirely bad for Usyk if he decided to go in a different direction.

“We have to support Fabio Wardley. This boy is a superstar, he really is,” said Ade Oladipo talkSport Boxing. “His story is amazing. He has everything. He has the looks. He speaks great.” Is there now a boxer that provides more value for money buying a ticket than Fabio Wardley?”

It would be in Queensberry’s best interest not to pit Wardley and Itauma against each other anytime soon. They must build these two heavyweights separately to turn them both into stars before they finally face each other. This will happen if they continue to win.

Charisma that unites

Wardley is much more expressive and personable than Itauma. There is a huge difference in charisma between them. Itauma is not a good conversationalist due to his tardy way of speaking and expressionless face. He doesn’t show emotion.

“No, no,” said Gareth A. Davies about Wardley providing more value for money than anyone else. “He’s very articulate. He’s the type of guy who can appeal to mainstream British audiences. Yes, he’s really entertaining.”

It will be intriguing to see if Usyk decides to defend against Wardley or if he chooses a different path, such as fighting Anthony Joshua or perhaps Tyson Fury if he comes out of retirement to face him in a trilogy fight.

Usyk’s next headache

“He won’t be close to either of them if Oleksandr Usyk doesn’t fight to keep the WBO belt at home,” Gareth said. “If Oleksandr Usyk actually fights him, it will be an amazing story of a kid who came out of nowhere. He rose to the very top of the sport.”

Usyk is now 38 years senior and a fight with Wardley would be tough for him because he couldn’t count on falling apart quickly like Daniel Dubois did in their rematch on July 19, 2025. Usyk knocked out Dubois in five rounds.

“No. 3, behind Usyk and Tyson Fury,” Gareth said when asked where he placed Wardley in the heavyweight division. “Yes, because of Kabayel’s inaction. He’s a occasional specimen. He has a chin.”

Last update: 10/30/2025

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Liam Smith Accused of Assault: Ex-World Champion Boxer Allegedly Punches Man on the Ground

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"Liam Smith Accused of Assault: Ex-World Champion Boxer Allegedly Punches Man on the Ground"

He added that the cameras also recorded Smith allegedly “pushing past people to resume the incident, punching someone on the floor”.

Judge Gilbart adjourned the hearing until 28 November. Smith was told to be ready to enter his pleas on that date.

The fighter, nicknamed ‘Beefy’, was granted bail with conditions not to contact Nke or to enter Manchester, unless to attend court, or for appointments with his solicitor.

Judge Gilbart fixed a provisional trial date for the week commencing 15 March 2028.

Smith, now of Formby in Sefton, was due to make a comeback in a fight on 4 September in Finland, but pulled out due to a calf injury, according to reports.

Smith, one of four brothers who all boxed professionally and all won titles at British level, has fought some of the biggest names in the sport including a defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

More recently he fought British rival Chris Eubank Jr twice, defeating him in the first fight in January 2023, before suffering a defeat in the rematch eight months later.

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Unbeaten World Champion Challenges Oleksandr Usyk for Cruiserweight Title Rematch

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"Unbeaten World Champion Challenges Oleksandr Usyk for Cruiserweight Title Rematch"

Oleksandr Usyk could be involved in one of the “biggest fights in cruiserweight history”, just so long as he is willing to drop back down to 200lbs.

The 39-year-old has not fought at the weight since 2018, when he became the undisputed king by dethroning Murat Gassiev with a wide points victory.

Usyk also defined his cruiserweight reign with a majority decision triumph over Mairis Briedis, before moving up in weight and becoming a two-division world champion.

He did so by dethroning Anthony Joshua in 2021, with the Ukrainian then winning their rematch and eventually facing Tyson Fury for all four major heavyweight belts.

Then, this past June, Usyk made the decision to vacate his titles after having become a two-division undisputed champion and secured a harder-than-expected 11th-round stoppage of former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

Still, though, the decorated southpaw intends to fight for a short while longer and, according to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, has mentioned a Fury trilogy and David Benavidez clash as possible options.

Speaking to Last Stand Podcastunified cruiserweight champion Benavidez said he would gladly face Usyk at his current fighting weight.

“The point I wanted to make when we’re talking about Usyk is: I don’t know if that would be at heavyweight or cruiserweight. Didn’t Usyk relinquish all his belts?

“In my opinion, it would be a bigger fight at cruiserweight because, once I capture this [WBC] title, that would be three belts [on the line]. It would probably be one of the biggest fights in cruiserweight history.”

While a potential Usyk showdown could be explored, Benavidez has already committed to facing WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December and verbally agreed to fight Jai Opetaia next year.

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Unbeaten World Champion Challenges Oleksandr Usyk for Cruiserweight Belt Redemption

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"Unbeaten World Champion Challenges Oleksandr Usyk for Cruiserweight Belt Redemption"

Oleksandr Usyk could be involved in one of the “biggest fights in cruiserweight history”, just so long as he is willing to drop back down to 200lbs.

The 39-year-old has not fought at the weight since 2018, when he became the undisputed king by dethroning Murat Gassiev with a wide points victory.

Usyk also defined his cruiserweight reign with a majority decision triumph over Mairis Briedis, before moving up in weight and becoming a two-division world champion.

He did so by dethroning Anthony Joshua in 2021, with the Ukrainian then winning their rematch and eventually facing Tyson Fury for all four major heavyweight belts.

Then, this past June, Usyk made the decision to vacate his titles after having become a two-division undisputed champion and secured a harder-than-expected 11th-round stoppage of former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

Still, though, the decorated southpaw intends to fight for a short while longer and, according to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, has mentioned a Fury trilogy and David Benavidez clash as possible options.

Speaking to Last Stand Podcastunified cruiserweight champion Benavidez said he would gladly face Usyk at his current fighting weight.

“The point I wanted to make when we’re talking about Usyk is: I don’t know if that would be at heavyweight or cruiserweight. Didn’t Usyk relinquish all his belts?

“In my opinion, it would be a bigger fight at cruiserweight because, once I capture this [WBC] title, that would be three belts [on the line]. It would probably be one of the biggest fights in cruiserweight history.”

While a potential Usyk showdown could be explored, Benavidez has already committed to facing WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December and verbally agreed to fight Jai Opetaia next year.

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