Fabio Wardley could defend his new WBO world title against Anthony Joshua in his next fight.
Wardley was upgraded to full WBO world heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.
He will have the opportunity to voluntarily defend his championship before facing a mandatory challenger.
Former champion Anthony Joshua is currently ranked number 10 in the WBO and would therefore be eligible to face Wardley. That fight could happen next year if Joshua doesn’t secure his long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury.
An unexpected fight, optimistically scheduled for eight rounds, against Jake Paul is scheduled for December 19. Joshua will then set his sights back on a path to Tyson Fury, which should align with Saudi Arabia’s continued ambitions to invest in major boxing events.
Joshua is likely to box in Riyadh in February before fighting Fury later in 2026.
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Andy Scott explains why Usyk has relinquished the WBO heavyweight title after being ordered to face Wardley, and what this could mean for a third fight against Tyson Fury
Hearn explained: “The plan is really in the hands of [Saudi financier] Turki Alalshikh had a fight in Riyadh in February and then Tyson Fury.
“That deal hasn’t been agreed yet with Tyson Fury, as I understand it. So there’s not much we can do. We’re in. We’re ready. We’ve always been ready, no problem.”
“Turki Alalshikh has to deliver on that deal. He has not failed yet and we are confident he can.”
A world title fight with Wardley is attractive for Joshua if the Fury fight cannot be agreed.
“If that can’t happen, a fight with Fabio Wardley for the world heavyweight title, why not? That’s still the goal,” Hearn said.
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Highlights of Joseph Parker’s heavyweight bout with Wardley at the O2 arena (Credit: DAZN)
Jake Paul was a sudden opportunity that presented itself when Joshua was originally set to take a surprise eight-rounder in November. But AJ has even more ambition.
“This is not where we are going now, this is just an opportunity we couldn’t say no to,” Hearn said.
“But in 2026, normal business will resume and normal business is trying to become a three-time world heavyweight champion or beat Tyson Fury. That’s really the goal for 2026.”
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