Usyk-Wardley Unification Fight Hangs on Wardley's Proving-Ground Performance

Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, holder of the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight belts, will face kick-boxing champion Rico Verhoeven in Giza on 23 May. British Fabio Wardley, upgraded to WBO champion after Usyk vacated the belt, defends that title against former world champion Daniel Dubois in Manchester on 9 May. A Wardley win would open a potential unification bout.

Oleksandr Usyk camp tell Fabio Wardley what he needs to do to set up unification fightOleksandr Usyk will fight Fabio Wardley in a unification once the Briton ‘proves himself at the highest level’The IndependentMirror - UKMirror - UK

Usyk, 39, is a 2012 Olympic gold-medallist and the only boxer to be undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight. Wardley, 31, rose from a white-collar job to claim the interim WBO belt by stopping Joseph Parker and was later elevated to full champion. Sergey Lapin, chief executive of Ready To Fight, promotes Usyk and sets the terms for a Wardley-Usyk clash.

Oleksandr Usyk will fight Fabio Wardley in a unification once the Briton ‘proves himself at the highest level’

9 May – Manchester: Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois (WBO defence).

Mirror - UK

23 May – Giza: Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven (WBC defence).

The Independent

A post-May 23 unification fight remains conditional on Wardley’s performance.

Mirror - UK

Usyk retains the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight belts after vacating the WBO title. Wardley holds the WBO championship, having been elevated from interim status. Both remain unbeaten; Usyk is 39 and Wardley is 31. Wardley’s résumé features wins over Joseph Parker, Justis Huni and a recent stoppage of Parker that secured his interim crown.

The Independent

Sergey Lapin said Wardley must “prove himself at the highest level” before a unification fight is considered. He noted that Usyk’s camp does not plan around a single opponent, citing several strong contenders and a focus on the most meaningful bouts. Lapin also said Usyk now balances sporting ambition with business considerations.

Oleksandr Usyk will fight Fabio Wardley in a unification once the Briton ‘proves himself at the highest level’

Fans have called Wardley an “email champion” and “paper champion.” Wardley rejected the labels, saying he has no time to convince skeptics and that his win over Joseph Parker already proves his worth. He added a victory over Dubois would silence doubters.

The Independent

• “If Fabio Wardley proves himself at the highest level, he can definitely become part of that conversation.” — Sergey Lapin, CEO, Ready To Fight

Oleksandr Usyk will fight Fabio Wardley in a unification once the Briton ‘proves himself at the highest level’

• “At the same time, we don't build our plans around one name or one outcome. There are several strong contenders in the division, and we are focused on the biggest and most meaningful fights available.” — Sergey Lapin, CEO, Ready To Fight

Oleksandr Usyk will fight Fabio Wardley in a unification once the Briton ‘proves himself at the highest level’

• “Oleksandr has already achieved what very few fighters in history have done, so now it's not about chasing titles for the sake of it.” — Sergey Lapin, CEO, Ready To Fight

Oleksandr Usyk camp tell Fabio Wardley what he needs to do to set up unification fight

• “I picked Daniel as a voluntary [challenger] for a reason: to again prove myself – not that I need to, but fine, no worries.” — Fabio Wardley, Boxer

The Independent