Wardley offered route back to world title after 'rest and recovery'

Promoter Frank Warren believes Fabio Wardley can return to world title contention if the former WBO heavyweight champion chooses to continue boxing; Wardley lost a second consecutive bout to Daniel Dubois on Saturday when the Londoner beat him in two rounds at the O2 Arena

Fabio Wardley will be offered a route back to another world heavyweight title fight after his rematch defeat to Daniel Dubois.

Wardley was unable to regain the WBO world title after he was stopped in the second round of his second fight with Dubois at The O2 on Saturday.

But his manager Mike Ofo firmly believes that Wardley can challenge one of the other world champions after a "well-earned rest".

Ofo told Sky Sports : "Fabio has had a remarkable run, and there is no doubt that he still has a bright future ahead of him.

"Now is the time for him to enjoy a well-earned rest, to recover and consider his options. His journey has already been nothing short of remarkable, an extraordinary story of grit, determination and achievement.

"Clearly, he has never shied away from a challenge and has chosen to face the toughest opponents at every turn.

"I fully expect him to continue competing at the very highest levels of the sport and to win another world title if that is what he chooses to do."

Oleksandr Usyk's decision to vacate his world titles has opened up new opportunities as Murat Gassiev holds a WBA title, while Agit Kabayel is the WBC champion, and Filip Hrgovic holds the IBF belt.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will also fight for the WBA 'super' title in Cardiff on December 11.

Promoter Frank Warren intends to steer Wardley back into world title contention.

Asked if Wardley remains a threat to the division's top fighters, Warren told Sky Sports ' Toe 2 Toe podcast: "He's knocked over guys that have never been knocked over before.

"If he catches you, you're in trouble, and he's capable of doing that, but he's got to take a rest now and he's got to weigh up his chances and where he thinks he can go.

"I'm sure when he does come back, he'll have, as we call it in the trade, a warm-up fight. But if he does come back, he'll want to fight for a title again. He's a former world champion."