Join the Miguel Delaney Inside Football Get exclusive insights and behind-the scenes access to the Miguel Delaney: inside newsletter Football Join the Miguel Delaney Inside newsletter Football newsletterOleksandr Usyk’s former promoter believes there is no reason for the undisputed heavyweight champion to fight Fabio Wardley.Wardley emerged as Usyk’s mandatory challenger after beating Joseph Parker in a thrilling battle at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.He looks set to face Usyk in the first half of 2026, but Alex Krassyuk, who promoted Usyk until earlier this year, has advised the Ukrainian great to turn down the fight unless he is offered a payday that he cannot refuse.Subscribe to DAZN now to watch over 185 fights a year“Give me one – not two, not three – but one reason to fight Wardley,” Krassyuk told Boxing King Media in an exclusive interview. “With all respect to this guy, with all the credit to him, but I am thinking from Usyk’s perspective. “Even money is not the reason – unless a miracle happens and the magician comes in the helicopter with all the money and distributes it to try and conquer the land of boxing and paying, I don’t know, 50 million to Usyk. Then it might make sense.“With all respect to Fabio Wardley, he is not a big name, it will be a fight between Usyk and an opponent, not generating [enough money at the] gate and Usyk taking a hard, stupid risk. It makes no sense.”Fabio Wardley wants to fight Oleksandr Usyk (Steven Paston/PA). (PA Wire).Usyk recently said he’d continue boxing until the age of 41. But Krassyuk would rather him retire than risk his unbeaten streak against Wardley. Wardley has won 19 out of 21 fights with a knockout.“I am public in my [opinion], I want Usyk to retire as fast as possible,” Krassyuk explained. “I was even against his fight with [Daniel] Dubois, but okay, that made some sense to become three-time undisputed.Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of BoxingNever miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.Buy NowADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of BoxingNever miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.Buy NowADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.“Why should he risk everything that he gained over the last 13 years? If he loses, people will remember his loss only. Lennox Lewis is the best role model for this; it is better to leave one hour [early] than two minutes [too late].”DAZN’s Annual Saver subscription costs PS119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), which is just 64p / $1.21 per fight. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that’s just 64p / $1.21 per fight.There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. Subscribers get weekly magazine programs, a comprehensive fighting library, exclusive interviews and behind-the scenes documentaries. They also receive podcasts and videocasts.
2025-10-28 17:31:00
Oleksandr Usyk’s former promoter says Fabio Wardley fight ‘makes no sense’
