Frank Warren: “WBO will soon sanction Usyk–Wardley”

Founder and head of Queensberry Promotions Frank Warren has stated that the World Boxing Organization (WBO) will soon sanction a fight between undisputed Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and WBO Interim titleholder Fabio Wardley.

“Regarding the fight with Usyk — it’s very simple. The WBO, I believe, will sanction this fight soon, and I mean very soon. It’s practically on the agenda, and from there we’ll move forward.

But if he doesn’t take this fight, then Fabio will be recognized as the world champion. He (Wardley) wants to fight. He doesn’t want the title handed to him automatically. He wants to get in the ring and earn it. He’s the interim champion. He beat the No. 2 contender in the Heavyweight division and did it in dramatic fashion.

He’s dangerous at any moment of the fight — even in the twelfth round he’s ready to act. Boxing is about stories. And when you look at his story, it’s just incredible. He literally went from white-collar bouts to what he’s doing now.

What he has achieved is phenomenal. No amateur experience — zero — and he’s learning on the job. He’s a wonderful man, he deserves respect, and I think he’s an example for boxing, showing people what can be achieved with hard work,” Warren said.

Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) last fought in July, when he knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their rematch to reclaim the undisputed championship.

On October 25, Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) defeated Joseph Parker by technical knockout in the 11th round.