Fabio Wardley, the new WBO world heavyweight champ with a record of 20-0-1 (19 KOs), told Queensberry Promotions he'd rather have won the belt in the ring after a knockout win. He also addressed the question of whether he thinks Oleksandr Usyk is avoiding him.

The Ipswich native became the WBO world heavyweight titleholder after the Ukrainian undisputed champ chose to give up the belt instead of facing him as a mandatory challenger.

Wardley admits he'd have preferred to win the title in a fight. Still, the 30-year-old, who started boxing after working as a recruitment consultant, isn't complaining too much about his good luck.

He earned his spot as the division's top contender with wins over Frazer Clarke, Justus Huni, and Joseph Parker.

Am I dreaming? The Brit joked in his conversation with Queensberry. You can say how you want things to go, but boxing careers rarely follow the plan. Mine seems to be on track. I still don't think it's sunk in. I look at my team and wonder how we did it.

Before his dramatic 11th-round win over Parker in October, everyone figured the winner would get a shot at Usyk next. Wardley was behind on the scorecards going into that round.

But the 38-year-old Usyk, a two-time undisputed heavyweight champ, said last week that he'd give up the belt because of a back injury.

Since Wardley vs. Parker was for the WBO Interim title, Wardley was automatically bumped up to the sanctioning body’s new heavyweight ruler.

"I expected him to fight me," Wardley said about Usyk's decision. There was talk between the Usyk and Parker camps that Usyk would fight the winner. I thought that's what he'd do, so I was surprised when he didn't, and I got promoted. I'll take it, though.

It's a little of both. It's fantastic, but I wanted it all. I wanted the perfect picture. Every boxer dreams of being a world champion. It would be arrogant of me to complain, but I love to fight and to earn my wins.

There's been talk online about Usyk ducking Wardley. Some think he is, while others say that's ridiculous. Wardley was asked straight up for his take: If it were someone else, would you say they were avoiding me? he wondered.

It's that arrogance thing again. If it were another fighter, it would be a bigger deal. You'd think he'd look at me and think, 'I can get through this guy.' Of course, you want to win in the ring, hear the announcement, have the belt handed to you, and enjoy that moment. I didn't get that, but I'm not going to cry about it.”

Wardley is now waiting for his next opponent. The WBO's top five challengers are Moses Itauma, Filip Hrgovic, Zhilei Zhang, Daniel Dubois, and Jared Anderson.

I'm easy to reach. "Just call," Wardley said. I'm taking all calls.

He wrapped up It's been a fairy tale from start to finish. It's been quick. There have been big steps along the way, and it ended perfectly.

Whether boxing likes it or not, Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua is happening, and the U.S. reaction is big.

ESPN's market guesses say most of the early bets in the U.S. are on Paul. People are wondering if Joshua is liked in America and what this fight really means.

The Big Question

When Anthony Joshua fights Jake Paul, it's more than just a fight. It's a test.

How did a social media star grab more U.S. fans than a two-time heavyweight champ?

The numbers are clear: almost everyone is betting on Paul, which shows what people in America think of Joshua.

Joshua’s U.S. Track Record

Joshua hasn't always won in the U.S. He lost to Andy Ruiz Jr. in New York in 2019, and people still remember it.

The huge support for Paul shows that he connects with young people who spend time online—a group that heavyweight champs usually have trouble reaching.

Why It's Talked About

This fight is controversial. Many boxing fans wonder why Joshua, a great fighter with titles, is fighting someone who took a different path to get here.

But everyone is paying attention. American fans are hooked, and it's now a story about what's culturally important, not just boxing ability.

Joshua's team isn't worried. AJ knows what's at stake. This is more than just a show; it's about protecting his reputation against a different kind of fighter.

Social Media Is Going Crazy

Social media is full of guesses, jokes, and arguments. One expert tweeted, The hype for Paul is wild.

Even those who doubt the fight can't ignore how much attention it's getting—or the huge support from U.S. fans, where Paul is very influential.

Serious boxing fans might not like it, and the fight might seem odd, but the U.S. numbers—98% backing Paul—say a lot.

People are questioning how much Americans like Joshua, while Paul's cultural power keeps growing.

When the fight starts, it will be more than just a fight. It will show how fandom, market power, and boxing are changing.

This fight will change how the U.S. sees boxing stars fighting influencers in the social media age.