Fabio Wardley hit his career stride at the perfect time.

The Ring’s No. 9 heavyweight contender was elevated to the mandatory position in the most recent WBA ratings update which were published Wednesday. Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) advanced five slots, given the career direction of those in front of him and is now poised to challenge for a version of the WBA title in 2025.

The past year saw Wardley engage in a two-fight set with unbeaten Frazer Clarke. The two fought to a twelve-round draw in their terrific clash last March 31 at The O2 in London. Their Oct. 12 rematch featured a far more conclusive ending, as Wardley annihilated Clarke in the opening round.

Wardley’s explosive performance, coupled with career moves made by Martin Bakole, Michael Hunter and Tyson Fury, places him in prime position for his first major title fight.

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) is The Ring, WBC, WBA ‘Super’ and WBO heavyweight champion. Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev (31-3, 14 KOs) claimed the WBA ‘World’ (Regular) heavyweight title in a Dec. 14 decision win over Mahmoud Charr (34-4, 20 KOs).

It is doubtful that the WBA will force Usyk into a mandatory title defense, even after back-to-back wins over Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs).

That would leave England’s Wardley on course to face Pulev—who turns 44 in May—within his next fight or two.

Such a matchup is the natural course of progression for Wardley, who quickly adapted to the pro ranks despite the absence of a traditional amateur background. A product of the white-collar boxing circuit, the now 30-year-old contender was on a learn-as-you-earn pace through his first five years as a pro.

Wardley enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023, with knockout victories over Michael Polite Coffie and then-unbeaten David Adeleye. The latter came on the inaugural Oct. 2023 Riyadh Season show, where Wardley settled a developing grudge match with a one-sided beatdown.

The way he settled unfinished business with Clarke one year later rapidly advanced his career from budding prospect to a legitimate contender.