Bassey returns for Liverpool clash

WBO champion Fabio Wardley rules out immediate fight with stablemate Moses Itauma

WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley has reiterated his stance against fighting stablemate Moses Itauma, citing their shared trainer and gym as reasons for the impossibility of such a bout at this stage of their careers. Wardley, who is set to defend his WBO title against Daniel Dubois this summer, stated that his position remains unchanged despite indications from the WBO's Gustavo Olivieri that Itauma could be designated as the mandatory challenger. Wardley emphasized that a fight with Itauma is "much further down the road" due to their current training arrangements. Both fighters are trained by Ben Davison and regularly spar together. Wardley's ambitions are currently focused on facing top names in the division like Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua. Olivieri had previously mentioned that if the WBO committee votes, Itauma would be designated as the mandatory challenger, with the enforcement timeline yet to be determined, potentially immediately after the Wardley-Dubois fight or later. Itauma acknowledged the complications but left the door open for a potential fight, especially if Dubois wins. Itauma is preparing for a headline appearance at the O2 Arena on July 25, with his promoter Frank Warren promising a significant test. Itauma's recent victory over Jermaine Franklin, whom neither Anthony Joshua nor Dillian Whyte had stopped, drew considerable attention.