What Lies Ahead for the Heavyweight Boxing Scene After Wardley's Victory?
Fabio Wardley has thrust himself into the heavyweight title conversation after a shocking 11th-round stoppage win against Joseph Parker at the O2 Arena in London.
The remarkable win extended Wardley's unbeaten streak to 21 fights—20 victories and one draw—with an impressive 19 stoppages.
Wardley also took Parker's WBO 'interim' title and is now positioned for a life-changing opportunity against undefeated undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
But is Wardley likely to face at the reigning two-division champion?
What other fights are happening? And what matchups could materialize?
Is a Usyk-Wardley Bout Likely?
The champion impressed again when stopping Daniel Dubois to become a repeat undisputed heavyweight titleholder in July.
Just five days after that victory, the World Boxing Organization mandated the veteran fighter to begin negotiations for a defense against mandatory challenger Parker.
But the Ukrainian sustained a back injury and was given additional time to begin talks with Parker's team.
The champion stated recently he planned to continue boxing for two more years but had no intention of fighting next year.
The governing body hasn't issued a new order for Usyk to negotiate with his mandatory challenger, but could do so soon following Wardley's win.
Wardley made no secret of his desire to fight the titleholder next after his latest win.
"I have one thing to say - Usyk, Usyk," he said in his post-fight interview.
The ex-cruiserweight titleholder may even decide to swerve Wardley.
If he does, the WBO could force him to vacate their belt and upgrade Wardley to champion.
If that scenario plays out then former IBF champion Dubois could become a possible contender for Wardley.
What Fights Do We Know Are Happening?
With the champion still deciding his next fight, the heavyweight scene has stalled.
There are no major championship bouts scheduled in the final two months of 2025.
There is a UK heavyweight championship fight on November 29th when Frazer Clarke and Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva meet at Derby's Vaillant Arena.
The bout was originally scheduled for October 25th before TKV picked up an injury.
The rearranged card will be shown live on BBC Two and iPlayer, marking the inaugural show in a fresh collaboration between the broadcaster and promotion company.
When Will Joshua Fight Next?
The fight community anticipates updates on a fight date for two-time heavyweight champion British star Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has been absent since his brutal fifth-round loss at the hands of compatriot Daniel Dubois in autumn 2024.
The 36-year-old had elbow surgery in May and there have been murmurs about a possible date in December.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said it's "50-50 he will return for a warm-up fight this year", but also hinted Joshua could be added to a card in the West Coast in December or possibly to an event in Saudi Arabia on 27 December.
"It might not even be something we announce weeks and weeks before because that defeats the object," Hearn told Ring Magazine.
"He is in the gym and he is staying ready so we could say 'you're out in two weeks in an eight-rounder'."
Joshua has made clear his intention to fight in Africa, but it is unlikely he will feature on Matchroom's expected card in Ghana on 20 December.
His dream of fighting on the continent may have to wait until February.
When Could Itauma Fight Next?
Young prospect Moses Itauma is Britain's next great heavyweight hope—but the 20-year-old is yet to finalise his next contest.
Itauma boosted his standing with a quick knockout of Dillian Whyte in August, extending his unbeaten record to 13 victories with 11 stoppage wins.
In the aftermath of that stunning win, Itauma was connected to fights with Filip Hrgovic, Michael Hunter and domestic rival David Adeleye.
Team Itauma were considering a fight in December, with Derek Chisora suggesting he would share a card on a December date in Manchester.
But that schedule is uncertain for the fighter from Chatham, who is learning the hard way about boxing politics.
Titleholder Kubrat Pulev was ordered to defend his belt against Itauma on 14 October, but the 44 year-old has announced plans to fight opponent Murat Gassiev on 12 December.
The WBA order means both sides have 30 days to negotiate a deal.
Queensberry's Frank Warren, who promotes Itauma, told BBC Sport that "Pulev has to fight Moses next with London and Manchester possible host cities".
Itauma has also been suggested as a potential opponent for undisputed champion Usyk, but the Ukrainian downplayed those rumours earlier this month.
As for the veteran Chisora, he appeared on stage at the O2 Arena alongside other heavyweight contenders before Wardley's win over Parker.
Speaking about potential fights and asked if we could see Chisora and Whyte meet for a third time, Chisora said "yes, if the contract is right", before adding that it will "100% happen in December".
Has Tyson Fury Actually Retired?
Predicting what happens next for Tyson Fury has always been challenging.
The two-time heavyweight champion announced his retirement in winter after losing against Usyk for a second time a few weeks prior.
Over the recent months, Fury has teased comebacks and then subsequently backtracked.
Fury has spoken of a desire to get in the ring with Joshua before claiming he's accomplished all his goals and is happy to stay on the other side of the ropes.
During a recent interview on FurociTV, Fury said there was "no actual reason for me to go back in the boxing ring".
But the veteran attended Wardley's victory against friend and training partner Parker—and that could have sparked his interest.