Fabio Wardley might defend his new WBO world title in opposition to Anthony Joshua in his subsequent struggle.
Wardley was upgraded to full WBO world heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.
He can have the choice of creating a voluntary defence of his championship earlier than he has to face a compulsory challenger.
Former champion Anthony Joshua is at the moment ranked No 10 with the WBO and so can be eligible to tackle Wardley. That struggle might occur subsequent 12 months, if Joshua does not safe his long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury.
An surprising bout, scheduled optimistically for eight rounds, in opposition to Jake Paul is ready for December 19. Joshua will then set his sights again on a path to Tyson Fury, which ought to align with Saudi Arabia’s persevering with ambitions to spend money on main boxing occasions.
Joshua is prone to field in February in Riyadh earlier than pursuing a contest with Fury later in 2026.
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Andy Scott explains why Usyk has relinquished the WBO heavyweight title after being ordered to face Wardley, and what this might imply for a 3rd struggle in opposition to Tyson Fury
Hearn defined: “The plan actually within the arms of [Saudi financier] Turki Alalshikh was a struggle in February in Riyadh after which Tyson Fury.
“That deal is not agreed yet with Tyson Fury as I understand it. So there’s not a lot we can do. We’re in. We’re up for it. We’ve always been up for it, not a problem.
“Turki Alalshikh’s received to make that deal occur – he isn’t failed but and we’re very assured he can.”
A world title fight with Wardley is appealing for Joshua, if the Fury bout cannot be agreed.
“If that may’t occur, a struggle with Fabio Wardley for the world heavyweight title, why not? That is nonetheless the goal,” Hearn mentioned.
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Highlights of Joseph Parker’s heavyweight conflict with Wardley at The O2 enviornment (Credit score: DAZN)
Jake Paul was a sudden alternative that arose when Joshua was initially going to take a shock eight-rounder in November. However AJ nonetheless has additional ambition.
“This isn’t where we’re going now, this is just an opportunity we couldn’t say no to,” Hearn mentioned.
“But 2026 normal business shall be resumed and normal business is to try to become a three-time heavyweight world champion, or to beat Tyson Fury. That’s really the aim for 2026.”
