FABIO WARDLEY dreams of filling the giant void Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are about to leave in British boxing.
The 30-year-old Ipswich banger was working in a recruitment office 15 years ago, before a few white-collar fights in Suffolk nightclubs led him to professional boxing.
ReutersFabio Wardley was losing on his Portman Road home coming until he detonated a life-changing shot[/caption]
GettyIpswich ace secured a tenth-round stoppage win in front of his Ipswich Town fans[/caption]
Now 19 wins and once draw deep – after a thrilling 10th-round KO win over Justis Huni at Portman Road in June – the boy-next-door is knocking on a mainstream break out.
And an October 25 O2 shootout with former world champ Joseph Parker – while British ring legends AJ and Fury toy with retirements and Jake Paul fights – could help him replace them in the popularity pecking order.
On a visit to the SunSport office, Wardley told us: “I want to be a main name. I think I am well in the mix and conversation but there is definitely a lot more to achieve.
“There’s great guys in British boxing and I am just proud to be holding some of that weight on my shoulders.
“And I want to make sure I do right by the fans and am in fights that fans want to see.
“I have to take the opportunities as they come and while those two are sitting on the sidelines, doing whatever they need to do, that leaves a gap.
“Me and my team have decided to stay big, consistent and involved and make sure we are on the main stage and at the front of the picture.
“Because ultimately, when the AJs and Fury’s end their incredible careers, somebody needs to be the face of British heavyweight boxing and I am doing my best to throw my hat in the ring for that.”
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Wardley has been in bloody, fan-friendly fights since his 2022 British title win over Nathan Gorman.
The 2023 Saudi Arabia win over David Adeleye was sensational.
Last year he was in a magnificent claret-soaked draw with Frazer Clarke and he settled the rematch with a FIRST ROUND knockout.
Wardley is now first in line for a crack at the WBA version of the world title Oleksandr Usyk holds but, instead of sitting safely on the shelf, he has signed up for another barnstormer.
He said: “I was supposed to lose 10 fights ago.
“People say I am on borrowed time, every fight is a step too far, every fight is the one I have bitten off more than I can chew.
“But I keep taking bigger bites and so far it’s only Ws on the record.
“I know where I started and where I came and I know where I am aiming to go.”
Paul EdwardsWimbledon Tennis Championships 2025 ..Anthony Josua and Eddie Hearn arrive at Wimbledon .[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialTyson Fury is currently enjoying another long retirement after back-to-back Usyk losses[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
