Usyk accused of ‘running away’ from Wardley showdown
Oleksandr Usyk has been accused of “running away” from a showdown with Fabio Wardley by the British WBO heavyweight champion’s manager Mike Ofo, reports BritPanorama.
The Ukrainian fighter relinquished his WBO title rather than face Wardley, despite being ordered to defend against the winner of the Parker-Wardley bout. Ofo expressed frustration at Usyk’s conduct, suggesting it undermines the integrity of the sport.
Ofo stated: “Usyk is doing the opposite, he is running away from adversity, while we’re running towards Usyk.” He further unveiled that financial terms had been agreed “in principle” for Wardley to challenge Usyk prior to the Parker fight.
Despite the prospect of facing Wardley, Usyk has instead named Deontay Wilder as his preferred opponent, commenting, “He is a world champion guy. A very famous and strong guy.” This shift in focus has sparked confusion and disappointment within Wardley’s camp, which anticipated a title fight against Usyk.
Wardley, boasting an impressive record with 19 knockouts from 20 victories, expressed bewilderment at Usyk’s decision to give up the belt, noting, “It was a bit of a strange one… to give it up just seems a bit of a strange move.” The emergence of Wilder as Usyk’s chosen opponent also raised eyebrows, particularly given Wilder’s recent struggles in the ring, including stoppage losses to Zhilei Zhang and Tyson Fury.
Ofo challenged the rationale behind Usyk’s preference for Wilder, questioning the decision to choose an opponent with a declining career over a fight with a highly rated contender in Wardley. “You want to fight Wilder who not only lost to the man you beat [Tyson Fury] but has also lost to the man who your mandatory challenger beat [Joseph Parker],” he remarked.
Despite the challenges, Ofo remains optimistic about Wardley’s prospects, asserting, “Fabio is not only the most exciting heavyweight out there, he is the most exciting fighter in boxing right now.” He confirmed that Wardley will make his maiden WBO title defence in early 2025, emphasizing that Wardley’s career will continue to progress regardless of Usyk’s decision.
In the world of boxing, the choices made by champions often send ripples through the sport—sometimes illuminating, other times perplexing. With uncertainty lingering over the heavyweight landscape, one can only watch as this narrative unfolds, reflecting the complexities of ambition and opportunity in the ring.
