The Future for the Heavyweight Division After Wardley's Big Win?
The British boxer Fabio Wardley has propelled himself into the heavyweight title conversation after a shocking late-round knockout win against former champion 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 notable 19 knockout wins.
Wardley also took Parker's interim WBO championship and is now positioned for a life-changing opportunity against unbeaten unified titleholder the Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk.
But is Wardley likely to face at the undefeated two-weight undisputed 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.
Shortly after that win, the WBO ordered the veteran fighter to start talks for a title defense against his mandatory opponent Parker.
But the fighter suffered a back issue 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 WBO has not made a fresh call for Usyk to negotiate with his mandatory challenger, but could do so soon following Wardley's victory.
Wardley made no secret of his desire to face the champion next after his latest win.
"I have one thing to say - Usyk, Usyk," he said in his post-fight interview.
Former cruiserweight champion Usyk 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 become a possible contender for Wardley.
What Fights Do We Know Are Happening?
With Usyk yet to make his next move, the heavyweight division has been on pause.
There are no world-level fights on the agenda 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 Derby's Vaillant Arena.
The fight was initially planned for 25 October before TKV picked up an injury.
The rescheduled event will be broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer, marking the inaugural show in a fresh collaboration between BBC Sport and Boxxer.
When Is Anthony Joshua's Next Bout?
The boxing world is waiting for news on a bout schedule for former champion Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has not fought since his devastating fifth-round knockout defeat at the hands of fellow Briton Dubois in autumn 2024.
The veteran underwent elbow surgery in May and there have been murmurs about a possible date in December.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said it's "uncertain if he'll have a tune-up bout this year", but also hinted Joshua could be added to a card in the West Coast in December or possibly to an show in the Middle East late 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 Matchroom's expected card in Ghana on 20 December.
His aspiration to box in Africa 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 late summer, extending his perfect record to 13 wins with 11 knockouts.
In the wake of that impressive victory, Itauma was linked with bouts against 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 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 opponent Murat Gassiev on 12 December.
The mandate gives both camps 30 days to reach agreement.
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 mentioned as a possible challenger for the unified champion, but the Ukrainian downplayed those rumours earlier this month.
As for Chisora, he was present at the O2 Arena alongside fellow British heavyweight Whyte and American Jarrell Miller before the main event.
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".
Is Fury Really Retired?
Predicting what happens next for Tyson Fury has never been easy.
The former world champion declared his retirement in January after suffering a second defeat to Usyk a month earlier.
Over the recent months, Fury has teased comebacks and then subsequently backtracked.
Fury has expressed interest in fighting Joshua before stating he has achieved everything he wanted to and is content to remain outside the ring.
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.