Boxing
'Only two places!' - Frank Warren reveals blockbuster locations for Oleksandr Usyk-Fabio Wardley war
Watch Buatsi vs. Parker only on DAZN - Saturday
Oleksandr Usyk and Fabio Wardley could meet for the undisputed heavyweight title at either Wembley Stadium or in Riyadh next year, with Frank Warren eyeing a March date.
The Ukrainian had been expected to face Joseph Parker as his mandatory challenger, but sought a delay, citing an injury following his five-round victory over Daniel Dubois in July.
But Wardley tore up the script with an eleventh-round stoppage on Saturday at London's The O2 Arena to take the New Zealander's WBO interim strap and his challenger status.
Now Queensberry Promotions boss Warren has laid out the likely venues and dates following the bout, as both fighters and their teams prepare to go to the table to make a deal.
“The fight [between Usyk and Wardley] has been ordered, so there will be a period of negotiations now," he said. "If we can’t reach an agreement, then it will go out for purse bids.
"I believe we will reach an agreement. The fight won’t be until next year. I think it will be sometime in March. I’d love it to be in the UK, but there are only two places for this fight
"That’s in Riyadh or here in London, that’s it. I’d do it at Wembley Stadium. It would be a sell-out. You know what you’re getting with Usyk. You know what you’re getting with Fabio.
"It’s going to be exciting. Fabio has got to be one of the most exciting fighters in the world, one of the biggest draws in boxing. He’s a massive attraction, and it will only get bigger.”
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