Usyk Camp Cool On Wardley; Warren Says Vacate Or Fight

Fabio Wardley’s promoter Frank Warren says Oleksandr Usyk will have to fight Wardley next or give up the WBO heavyweight title now that it is mandatory.

(Credit: Queensberry/Lee Downey)

Climas call on wardley

Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, was reportedly not “Overly enthusiastic” About the fight Wardley when asked about the fight following Fabio’s 11th round knockout win over Joseph Parker (36-4, 24 KOs) last Saturday night on October 25, 2025, at the O2 Arena in London.

Money over delegation

It is not known whether Usyk and Klimas are waiting for a bigger fight against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua. Those will be bigger paydays for Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) and involve less risk given the Brit’s advanced age. Fury is 37 and carries some extra weight around his waistline, while Joshua is 36 and coming off a bad knockout loss.

Promoter Frank Warren told talkSport Boxing after host Jim White told him that Oleksandr Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, “said before the fight that they would fight the winner”, “wasn’t very excited with all due respect about the prospect of fighting Fabio” following his win over Joseph Parker.

There would be less backlash for Usyk if he gave up his WBO title to avoid Wardley than there would be if he gave up a belt to skew the fight against 20-year-old Moses Itauma. It doesn’t seem like a bad thing to avoid the 30-year-old Wardley because he’s older, and not promote the future of the heavyweight division like Itauma is.

It would make sense for Usyk to relinquish the WBO title if he were to do so, so he could face Joshua or Fury next. He wouldn’t even have to evacuate if he pushed Wardley a step aside. Oleksandr got enough money to do this.

“The WBO ordered it. So, it’s up to him. Either he fights him or gives up the belt, or he gets stripped,” Warren said of Usyk. “I hope he doesn’t because I feel like this fight will fill Wembley Stadium. We had a good turnout on Saturday [for Parker vs. Wardley]. “This is a battle now.”

Usyk’s silence speaks

It’s not a good sign that Usyk hasn’t said a word since Wardley beat Parker. What makes it seem even worse is talkSport presenter Jim White’s comment about Usyk’s manager, Klimas, not being “enthusiastic” about Wardley being an option for his next fight.

“he [Wardley] He has the power. He showed it in 19 of 20 fights. He comes from behind and does it. Fabio deserves his shot at Usyk. “He will sell out Wembley,” Warren said.