Fabio Wardley: ‘I’ll knock out Tyson Fury like everyone else’

Fabio Wardley, like many in boxing, always had a feeling Tyson Fury would find his way back into the ring.

Fury announced his return earlier this week, ending a brief retirement that followed back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 – both in which the former heavyweight champion insisted he had been hard done by on the scorecards.

With Fury back in the picture, the heavyweight landscape has shifted once again. During Fury’s time away, Oleksandr Usyk vacated the WBO title rather than face Wardley, choosing instead to pursue a clash with Deontay Wilder. Wardley was elevated to titleholder and has since been searching for a suitable first defense, making Fury’s comeback a timely one – even if he insists “The Gypsy King” has been on his radar for far longer than just since this latest return.

“I never knew what he was going to do, and I don't think half the time he does, which is kind of, I guess why it keeps everyone on their toes a bit like that,” Wardley told BoxingScene. “But I know you see so many times the allure of boxing and how hard it is for boxers to stay away, and someone like him as well, I do think it just has a certain level of pull for him. So, yeah, I probably wasn't particularly confident that that was going to be his last and final retirement. I was probably sure there was one more coming at least. But, yeah, it was always in my head that if he came back, he was someone I'd like to fight.”

Fury himself addressed the possibility of facing Wardley earlier this week, admitting it would be a tough task to step straight in with the heavyweight belt holder after more than a year out of the ring. Although Fury suggested the fight could be one for later in 2026, that would imply him taking on a tune-up before tackling stiffer opposition, raising the question of whether someone with his experience actually needs one.

“I don't think so, no. I don't think he would,” said Wardley. “I've kind of said it before, but I think, for him, at least at this stage of his career and how long he's been in boxing, he's been boxing since he could walk. He's been doing it for so long – it's more than second nature to him. It's first nature, I don't know. But I don't know if he needs a comeback [fight] from a layoff. I don't really know.

“I don't even know who he's picking to fight or naming or whatever else. But whoever it is, he's obviously planning just to knock someone over or at least dance around him for a few rounds. And realistically, what is that actually going to do for you? What kind of ring rust is it going to shake off? Who knows? But I don't know. That's up to him.”

It seems the frontrunner for Fury’s return is currently Arslanbek Makhmudov, who defeated the popular Brit Dave Allen back in October.

“Yeah, so someone like Fury being a very agile, mobile heavyweight versus someone who's not very agile and mobile, it's quite the pick,” Wardley said of the contest. “It makes a lot of sense, at least from [Fury’s] perspective.”

Wardley has continued to prove the doubters wrong throughout his career, with many believing his lack of experience would eventually catch up with him. Instead, each supposed step too far has only strengthened his belief. And now, as a world titlist, his confidence appears to be at an all-time high.

“Same as all the other fights, I'm knocking him out,” he said of facing Fury. “I might have to absorb a few punches, maybe be down a few rounds, things like that. But come the – what? – 10th, 11th, maybe I'll save it for the 12th. I've done 10th, 11th, so maybe I'll save it for the 12th this time and then pull it out of the bag.”

Wardley’s confidence is now being matched by those watching from the outside. After spending much of his career being written off as the opponent who would eventually be found out, he has noticed a change in how he is viewed, particularly following his most recent victory over Joseph Parker.

“Overall it's a great feeling. It's just a funny turn of events, isn't it?” Wardley said. “Because, coming off my last fight [against Parker], you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that was picking me to win. And now all of a sudden, I'm good enough to beat Tyson Fury. So it's just funny how the ups and downs, and how quickly you can be down here, and how quickly you can be on top of things. But it's fantastic. And it's nice to see maybe that I've proved enough people wrong enough times over for them to go, ‘You know what, I think you can pull this one off because I just keep betting against him and he keeps proving me wrong.’”

Fury is one option for Wardley – but not the only one. Derek “Del Boy” Chisora is searching for a suitable dance partner for his 50th and final professional fight. The veteran has long spoken of wanting to end his career with one last shot at a world title, and Wardley could offer exactly that opportunity. Although discussions remain at an early stage, the potential matchup is already generating interest.

“It's probably the one we've had the most conversation with,” Wardley said. “Whether he's at the front of the list, who knows? ‘Del Boy’ will always be ‘Del Boy.’ And I can imagine that for his 50th fight, he's kind of going to want things his own way and to go out his way and things like that. So, look, don't get me wrong, 50 fights in the game, you've earned it. I understand. So it might not marry up, but it would be a great fight. It would be a great fight between the pair of us, war versus war. Two guys who don't take a step back, they'd love to get stuck in. So, yeah, I think everyone would get behind that one.”

Chisora could prove to be a handful at the negotiating table, but Wardley is in no mood to surrender any of the privileges that come with holding a world title.

“I'm the world champion. I get all the world champion rights,” Wardley said. “Don't get me wrong: Credit to you for 50 fights in the game and all you've achieved. And don't get me wrong, I love and admire ‘Del Boy’ as well. He's someone that's watched my career all the way through. And he's always kind of checked in and congratulated me when I've had achievements and milestones and won. And he was one of the few people that openly backed me to beat Parker as well. So, yeah, look, I've got a lot of love and respect for him. But, no, I'm the champ.”

Whether it is Fury or Chisora, Wardley is no longer in the division looking up. He is standing at the top of it, waiting.

Tom Ivers is a lifelong fight fan and former amateur boxer who has a master’s degree in sports journalism. He had his first bout in 2013 and spent the majority of his career at the Salisbury Amateur Boxing Club in Liverpool, England, where he won two regional titles. Tom joined BoxingScene in 2024 and is now a key part of the UK and social media teams. You can reach him @tomosivers on X and Instagram.