Trainer Shane McGuigan Explains How and Why Fury Would Defeat Wardley

Boxing trainer Shane McGuigan shared his thoughts on a potential fight between former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and current WBO titleholder Fabio Wardley.

“Fury beats him. On points.

Tyson is great for this division, but retiring and coming back — it’s a bit much, isn’t it? It’s quite draining. It’s emotionally draining for us, his hardcore fans. But I think Fabio is the perfect opponent.

Because he has a belt, and he’s not the best boxer. Everyone thinks they can beat him, and he constantly does something unexpected. There are many chinks in his armor, and if you look at someone like Kabayel, they’d say, ‘I could easily beat this guy.’ But in reality, Fabio is only good when you come at him.

That’s why Tyson Fury beats him, in my opinion, because he will keep his distance. When Wardley can no longer move his feet quickly, he still continues to generate that power. He looks so staggered that people go in to finish him, and he just turns everything around with one punch. So someone like Fury, who will be disciplined and just persistently keep his distance, will beat him.

I think fights like Kabayel vs. Fabio would be great. I think Fabio actually has a chance to knock him out because he has vulnerabilities. Kabayel is too careless in moments when he needs to step back and act differently. He just keeps coming forward, but he can only do that a limited number of times before being crushed.

Obviously, you have Moses Itauma, who would be too sharp for Fabio Wardley. So, Frank Warren already has the belt with Fabio and can simply choose between Fury and Itauma,” McGuigan said.

Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) has not entered the ring since 2024, when he lost twice in a row to Oleksandr Usyk. He later announced his retirement but now says he is returning to boxing in 2026.

Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) became champion in 2025, securing two stoppage victories over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker.