What's Next for the Heavyweight Division After Wardley's Victory?
The British boxer Fabio Wardley has thrust himself into the world title picture after a shocking late-round knockout win against Joseph Parker at the O2 Arena in London.
This impressive victory extended Wardley's undefeated record to 21 fights—20 victories and one draw—with an impressive 19 stoppages.
Wardley also took Parker's interim WBO championship and is now in line for a career-defining chance against undefeated undisputed champion the Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk.
But will Wardley get his shot at the reigning two-division champion?
What other fights are happening? And what matchups could materialize?
Will Usyk Fight Wardley?
The champion impressed again when defeating Daniel Dubois by stoppage to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion in July.
Just five days after that victory, the World Boxing Organization mandated the veteran fighter to start talks for a title defense against his mandatory opponent Parker.
But the Ukrainian sustained a back injury and was granted an extended period 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 victory.
Wardley was vocal about wanting to fight the titleholder next after his recent victory.
"I have one thing to say - Usyk, Usyk," he said in his post-fight interview.
The ex-cruiserweight titleholder may even choose to avoid Wardley.
If he does, the WBO could force him to vacate their belt and upgrade Wardley to champion.
If that situation unfolds then ex-IBF titleholder Dubois could emerge as a potential opponent for Wardley.
What Fights Do We Know Are Happening?
With Usyk yet to make his next move, 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 faces Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva at the Vaillant Arena in Derby.
The fight was initially planned for 25 October before TKV picked up an injury.
The rearranged card will be shown live on television and streaming platforms, marking the first event in a new partnership between BBC Sport and Boxxer.
When Will Joshua Fight Next?
The boxing world is waiting for news on a bout schedule for former champion Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has been absent since his brutal fifth-round loss at the hands of fellow Briton Dubois in September 2024.
The 36-year-old had elbow surgery in spring 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 expressed desire to compete in Africa, but it is doubtful he'll appear on the anticipated Ghana event on 20 December.
His dream of fighting on the continent may have to be postponed until early next year.
When Could Itauma Fight Next?
Young prospect Moses Itauma is Britain's next great heavyweight hope—but the young fighter hasn't confirmed his next bout.
Itauma boosted his standing with a first-round stoppage of Dillian Whyte in August, extending his perfect record to 13 wins 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 veteran Chisora indicating they might appear together on 13 December in Manchester.
But that schedule is uncertain for the Chatham heavyweight, who is learning the hard way about boxing politics.
WBA 'regular' champion Kubrat Pulev was ordered to defend his belt against Itauma on 14 October, but the veteran has revealed intentions to fight Russian Murat Gassiev on December 12th.
The mandate gives both camps 30 days to reach agreement.
Promoter Frank Warren, who promotes Itauma, told media outlets that "Pulev has to fight Moses next with London and Manchester possible host cities".
Itauma has also been mentioned as a possible challenger for the unified champion, but the Ukrainian downplayed those rumours earlier this month.
As for the veteran Chisora, he was present at the O2 Arena alongside fellow British heavyweight Whyte and American Jarrell Miller before the main event.
Speaking about future bouts and a potential trilogy fight, 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 never been easy.
The former world champion announced his retirement in winter after suffering a second defeat to Usyk a month earlier.
Over the past nine months, Fury has hinted at returns then changed his mind.
Fury has expressed interest in fighting Joshua before stating he has achieved everything he wanted to 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 associate and sparring partner Parker—and that could have sparked his interest.