Wardley Targets Usyk, Fury, Joshua — Looks Beyond Dubois

• Fabio Wardley (19-0, 18 KOs) defends his WBO heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) on May 9 at Co-op Live Manchester on DAZN PPV
• Wardley has publicly named Usyk, Fury, and Joshua as his preferred opponents after the Dubois fight — positioning himself for the biggest bouts in the division
• Fury has acknowledged Wardley as "a good option" — the mutual interest suggests a Fury-Wardley fight could happen in late 2026

The Ipswich Wrecking Ball Has Ambitions

There's something refreshing about a champion who doesn't play it safe with his callouts. Fabio Wardley could defend his WBO belt against mandatory challengers, collect his purses, and build his record quietly. Instead, he's publicly naming the three biggest heavyweights on the planet and saying he wants them all. Usyk. Fury. Joshua. That's not a hit list — that's a statement of where Wardley sees himself in the heavyweight hierarchy. The thing is, he might not be wrong. Wardley's knockout ratio — 18 stoppages in 19 fights — is extraordinary at any level. His power is legitimate, his engine is improving, and the confidence that comes from holding a genuine world title has transformed his demeanour. He carries himself like a man who believes he belongs with the elite, and that belief is infectious. Watch him in interviews now compared to two years ago. The difference is night and day. But first, Dubois. And that's no small obstacle.

The Dubois Test

Daniel Dubois on May 9 is a proper fight. Make no mistake — Dubois has power that can end any heavyweight fight in a single punch. His right hand is one of the most destructive weapons in the division, and when he's confident and assertive, he's a handful for anyone. The losses on his record — Usyk, Joyce, the Hrgovic disaster — all came against world-level opposition, and he's shown the ability to bounce back from adversity. Wardley's approach will be crucial. He needs to avoid the kind of bravado that turns heavyweight fights into coin flips. If he stands in front of Dubois and trades, anything can happen. If he uses his jab, controls distance, and picks his moments to unleash his power, his superior boxing ability should tell over twelve rounds. Ben Davison's influence on Wardley's tactical development has been significant — the fighter who beat Dan Azeez and Frazer Clarke was levels above the one who turned professional. Co-op Live in Manchester will be rocking. Both fighters have followings, both have knockout power, and the WBO heavyweight title on the line gives it genuine stakes. This is British heavyweight boxing at its finest.

Why the Big Names Are Realistic

Wardley isn't just dreaming — the big fights are genuinely available. Fury has already named him as an option. Joshua's team will be looking for high-profile British opponents when AJ returns. And Usyk, if he continues beyond the Verhoeven spectacle in May, will need credible challengers for his WBC belt. Wardley, as WBO champion with an unbeaten record and devastating power, ticks every box. The Fury connection is the most likely to materialise first. If Fury beats Makhmudov in April and Joshua isn't available for the summer, Warren could make Fury-Wardley as an all-Queensberry affair. It sells itself: the Gypsy King challenging the new generation for a world title on home soil. Wardley would be the betting underdog, but his power ensures he's never out of any fight.

The Verdict

Wardley beats Dubois on May 9. His boxing is more complete, his conditioning is better, and Davison's game plans have consistently found ways to neutralise opponents' strengths. But it won't be easy — Dubois will have his moments, and one clean right hand changes everything. After that, Wardley's world opens up. Fury, Joshua, maybe even a unification bout with whoever holds the WBC belt. The Ipswich heavyweight has earned his place at the top table. Now he needs to prove he can stay there. May 9 is step one. The rest of 2026 will define his legacy.