Newly crowned WBO champion. IMO, Wardley vs Itauma will be the fight Frank Warren will make later next year. In the mean time, Wardley will defend his title sometime in spring, I reckon. Here are a couple of fighters from the WBO rankings. One of them could be the next foe for the champion from Ipswich: Hrgovic. Zhang. Anderson. Chisora. Hysa. Ajagba. I excluded some fighters (Itauma, Okolie, Dubois, Joshua and etc), since they are busy or are headed in different routes.
I assume okolie would be desperate for that fight..if he wants a world title it could be his only chance
Chisora would be a solid fight in the UK, low risk, big payday for both, would 100% sell tickets. Sets up the Itauma fight in the summer.
I think Frank and Okolie himself are positioning for a shot at Kabayel. That's why I excluded him from the list.
No idea why the unknown Hysa is there, Hysa is a 41 year old nobody who's done nothing He's ranked 21st on Boxrec when he should really be about 100th. Someone must be paying for him to be be ranked high.
Of these names I'd go with Hrgovic, but he might face a softer opponent, after his victory against Parker that might even be a possibility. And in that case, for his second world title defense, his opponent might be one of those who were ruled out. Just my guesses, let's see what happens.
Ajagba, very winnable but an exciting dangerous fighta and Ajagba can finally test Wardleys chin. Huni couldn't get Goodall out of there but he hurt Wardley yet Ajagba knocked out Goodall in 4 Hrgovic would probably school Wardley unless he gasses. Zhang too old and worn out. Anderson not enough momentum. Chisora exciting but foregone conclusion, he gets knocked out sooner or later. Hysa too unknown of a quantity
Hrgovic would be similar to Parker and Huni in that he doesn't have enough power to keep him back. Zhang wouldn't make it interesting past round 4. Opetia.
They might have been before this happened but do you think okolie has a better chance against wardley or kabayel? Personally I think wardley. And wardley how holds the title so makes sense to me.
With the title, he will have a lot of fighters standing in line to fight him. He can now pick and choose and be payed for it