FABIO WARDLEY has more than welcomed Tyson Fury’s fight call out.
Fury announced he will come out of retirement this year following his retirement last January – which came after consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
And the Gypsy King teased a bout with newly-crowned WBO champion Wardley – who is up for the challenge.
Wardley said Sky Sports: “More than welcome it. It would be a fight that I’m hugely up for.
“Myself, I like to target some of the big names in the division, the top players and look, he’s one of those guys. Give me a call any time.”
Wardley, 30, became interim WBO champ after stopping Joseph Parker, 33, in 11 rounds at the O2 Arena in October.
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But he was elevated to the full belt when Usyk, 38, vacated the strap.
Wardley hopes to still face the Ukrainian great in what would be an undisputed title showdown.
He said: “That’s number one. When I got the belt that was the hope that, OK, that’s what we get to have a go at.
“Usyk being the top dog, he runs the game at the moment. That was the one I wanted, if it doesn’t come this early or not, hopefully later in the year we’ll be able get our hands on him.
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Wardley hopes to return by April or May and also finds himself linked with British pair Derek Chisora and Daniel Dubois.
Chisora, 42, is searching for his 50th and final opponent and could close out his career with a world title shot.
Wardley said: “Del Boy himself. I know he’s on the hunt, he wants a big finish to his career.
“Obviously he’s on 49 fights at the moment, he wants to finish on that big 50 so a world title shot is probably the best way to do that.
“So we’re having some broad conversations, some broad chats. I know people would love that match up.”
Dubois, 28, lost his IBF belt to Usyk in six rounds of their July rematch.
And Wardley said: “Another great fight. Seeing us two matched up would be a fantastic fight.
“He hasn’t had a win, coming off that loss as of yet so maybe a little win to bounce back into things and then we can get something heated up later in the year.”
With Usyk in talks to fight American former WBC champ Deontay Wilder, 40, next Wardley revealed Fury would be his No1 choice of opponent.
He said: “The one I want the most is Oleksandr Usyk, beyond that I know he’s playing around with a fight with Deontay Wilder, so maybe not right now.
“The next best option for me would be Tyson Fury. That would be the name.
“He’s obviously a huge name, big character in the game and a big name within boxing. So someone I’d love to hop in the ring with.”
