LONDON, England – Promoter Frank Warren is targeting a March date for Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed title defence against mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley.

And the Hall of Fame promoter has revealed that the fight will land at either London's Wembley Stadium or in Riyadh.

Wardley stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th round of their 02 Arena thriller on Saturday night to book his crack at four-belt king Usyk, The Ring’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter.

Now the 30-year-old from Ipswich will return home for some down time with his partner and young daughter before returning to camp ahead of a career-defining clash with Usyk in the spring.

“The fight [between Usyk and Wardley] has been ordered, so there will be a period of negotiations now," Warren said. "And 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, of course. I think it will be some time in March.”

Usyk’s two consecutive victories over Tyson Fury in 2024 both took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. He reclaimed his IBF title to become a three-time undisputed champion via victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July.

Wardley, too, has fond memories of the Saudi capital having stopped both David Adeleye and Frazer Clarke there, while London has also been a happy hunting ground, although he is yet to box at Wembley Stadium. Now Warren says he could get that chance.

“I’d love it to be in the UK, but there are only two places for this fight and that’s either in Riyadh or here in London, that’s it. I’d do it at Wembley Stadium and it would be a sell out," Warren said.

“You know what you’re getting with Usyk, and 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.

“As a draw, Fabio is one of the biggest draws in boxing. In his last fight at Ipswich, he drew 27,000 people to a football stadium in heavy rain. Then tonight shows he’s a massive attraction, and it will only get bigger.”

Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs), who has famously transformed from a white-collar fighter with zero amateur experience to the No.1 contender for the undisputed heavyweight, has the highest knockout percentage of any other contender in the division.

Parker was the latest to join Wardley’s hit list, but he couldn’t do it to all-time great Usyk, could he?

“Correct me if I’m wrong, he couldn’t do it to Parker, according to the bookmakers, either,” Warren said. “He couldn’t do it to anyone. But you know what? He keeps doing it. That’s a fact of life.

“As everyone was saying before the fight, there are levels. There are levels, but then there is Fabio Wardley, who has got a leveler. If he catches you with it, you’re out of the game.

“Of course Usyk will be a massive favourite, I understand that. But if Fabio catches him, he will have to have an extraordinary chin to stand that force.”