Fabio Wardley has backed Anthony Joshua to retain all his world heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk believing the Ukrainian has struggled to look comfortable at the maximum weight division.
Usyk is a former undisputed cruiserweight champion but has only contested two bouts in the higher weight class so far. Prior to a Halloween night decision win over Derek Chisora, Usyk’s only other bout at heavyweight was against Chazz Witherspoon, in which the American’s corner retired him after the seventh round.
“He has not pulled off the best performances since he’s been in the heavyweight division, so to then jump in with someone like Joshua, it’s quite a big leap," Wardley told the Betfred TV Boxing Show.
"Not to say that Usyk doesn’t have the experience to deal with that but just going off what we have seen, that is where I’d edge it.
“I think he’s found that adjusting period into the heavyweight slightly more difficult than he initially anticipated".
Inexperience or not, few can discredit Usyk’s dedication and desire to conquer a second division; by going almost directly for one of the division’s biggest stars and most decorated fighters. Should he disprove Wardley by dethroning Joshua, the heavyweight division will be turned on its head, with most fight fans still eyeing up the Joshua-Fury dream fight.
Wardley is similar to Usyk in that he too is an undefeated heavyweight, having just triumphed Nick Webb on the undercard of Fight Camp Week 2 with a first-round knockout, retaining his domestic heavyweight title; and could be angling himself toward a world title shot soon enough with more performances like this.