Suffolk heavyweight boxing sensation Fabio Wardley fights David Adeleye for the British and Commonwealth titles in Saudi Arabia this weekend. Mark Heath spoke to him…
It’s no exaggeration to say there will be millions of people watching around the world when Fabio Wardley steps into the ring in Riyadh this weekend.
The Suffolk sledgehammer (16-0, 15KO) faces David Adeleye (12-0, 11KO) as the chief support to superstar Tyson Fury’s (33-0-1, 24KO) crossover fight with MMA champion Francis Ngannou (0-0 boxing).
The spectacular event is expected to attract not just boxing and MMA followers, but also the more casual sports fan intrigued by the huge hype around the ‘Battle of the Baddest.’
For Wardley, who defends his British title for the first time, it’s an opportunity to both lift another major belt – the vacant Commonwealth strap is also on the line, plus the WBO European and WBA Continental titles – and attract a new fanbase as he raises his profile even further.
The charismatic 28-year-old has exceeded all expectations since he turned pro after just four white collar fights, combining frightening power along with a speed of movement uncommon in the heavyweight division.
“It’s been a wild ride and I’ve been holding on tight and enjoying it for what it is,” he smiled, when asked about his unlikely boxing journey so far.
“We’ve had some great moments, some great fights, so long may it continue.
“We’re moving on to bigger things with each fight, this next one is massive.
“I don’t think I’ve given myself a proper five minutes to sit back and go ‘actually, you’re not doing half bad!’
