The Barista, 31, was elevated to full WBO champion after Oleksandr Usyk, 38, relinquished the belt, and has now set his sights on Fury, 37, after he announced he was returning to the ring.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Wardley said: “It was good [to be named on Fury's hit list] because he was already on mine. It makes no difference to me.
“Look, it’s something I’d be really keen for because I’m not shying away from big fights. I haven’t got a world title just to take easy fights and hold onto it, and hide away with it.”
Fury recently confirmed athat he will return to boxing this year after retiring following two points defeats to Usyk in December 2024, and listed Wardley among a shortlist of possible opponents alongside Anthony Joshua, 36.
Wardley insisted his title will be available to the biggest names in the division.
He said: “I’m not going to run off with my belt and not offer it out to anyone. The biggest names out there are the guys I want to be in fights with.
“I think being open [to negotiations] might be a bit of an understatement. I’d be extremely keen to see if he’s genuine about it or not.”
While Fury may view Wardley as a route back to world honours, the new champion believes he represents a serious risk.
He said: “He may be looking at it like it might be an easy touch for him to roll out of retirement, come into a fight, pick up a world title and go on to bigger things, but as fighters of late have found out, I’m quite the banana skin.
“I’d back myself against anyone in this division. That much has been proven about me.”
Wardley - who remains unbeaten in his professional career - added that his mindset does not change regardless of the opponent or occasion.
He said: “No matter the fighter, the occasion, the night, the event, or even how the fight in itself is going, I’m always in there with a chance. I’m not going to give up until I hear that final bell.”
Fury’s return has reignited discussion around several heavyweight match-ups, and Wardley also confirmed he would welcome a domestic showdown with Derek Chisora, 42, who is planning his 50th and final professional bout.
He said: “I think massively it would be an attractive fight for British boxing fans. I look at these fights not just as a boxer but as a fan.
“It would be a nice way to send him packing for his 50th fight. Throw in a world title, a big show and a big fight – but it’s only going to end one way.”
