Current WBO Heavyweight Champion Fabio Wardley has opened up about the profound impact that sparring with Ukrainian boxing maestro Oleksandr Usyk had on his career. Speaking in a recent interview with DAZN Boxing, the British heavyweight recounted his 2018 training camp with Usyk, a period that fundamentally transformed his approach to the sport.
Wardley’s journey to the top of the division is nothing short of remarkable. Having bypassed the traditional amateur ranks, he started in white-collar boxing before eventually capturing the WBO world title in late 2025—a belt vacated by Usyk himself. However, Wardley attributes much of his professional maturity to the invaluable lessons learned while sharing the ring with the Ukrainian champion seven years ago.
“That was in October 2018, so over 7 years ago,” Wardley recalled. “I was an absolute novice back then, just learning my trade. If we are talking about sparring him purely as a learning process, it was absolutely incredible. But in reality, he was just showering me with punches from all angles”.
Despite taking heavy fire, observers noted Wardley’s immense potential even back then. Renowned trainer Malik Scott, who was also present during those sessions in Ukraine, previously praised Wardley for holding his own against the vastly more experienced Usyk, constantly firing back despite the intense pressure.
For Wardley, the most critical takeaway from the camp was not just the in-ring mechanics, but the rigorous professionalism of an elite champion.
“The most important lesson for me was the structuring process,” Wardley explained. “Not the camp as a whole, but specifically the sparring days. I closely watched what he did before sparring and what his routine was immediately after. That discipline and structure is exactly what I learned from him.”
As Wardley prepares for his highly anticipated WBO title defense against Daniel Dubois in May 2026, the rest of the British heavyweight scene is also heating up.
Notably, Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, recently shared pivotal details regarding Joshua’s return date and the long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury. Hearn confirmed that negotiations for a monumental two-fight package, backed by Riyadh Season, are extremely close to being finalized.
Under the proposed deal, Anthony Joshua is scheduled to make his return to the ring in July 2026 for a strategic tune-up bout. This return fight aims to re-establish his rhythm and confidence. Should Joshua emerge victorious in July, he is slated to face Tyson Fury in a blockbuster mega-fight in November 2026, a bout that could potentially take place at Wembley Stadium. With the heavyweight division bustling with action, the legacy of champions like Usyk continues to set the benchmark for the next generation.