Ipswich heavyweight Fabio Wardley has been tipped as a future British champion, writes Chris Lakey.

The 22-year-old has been sparring with Britain’s finest – Dereck Chisora, Daniel Dubois, Dillian Whyte and recently-crowned British champion Sam Sexton, with whom he regularly trains.

And Sexton’s trainer, Graham Everett, is predicting a bright future for Wardley.

“I can see him being a British champion, if he keeps his head down and works hard, which he is,” said Everett.

“He is a nice age and he is a good athlete. I genuinely believe he will follow in Sam’s footsteps, and having Sam in the gym with him from the beginning of his career has been a great asset for him because I know Sam talks to him, has a chat with him and helps him through.”

- Big win for Wardley in second pro fight

Wardley is no punchbag in sparring with the who’s who of domestic heavyweights.

East Anglian Daily Times: Fabio Wardley and Sam Sexton regularly spar in Norwich. Picture: SONYA DUNCANFabio Wardley and Sam Sexton regularly spar in Norwich. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

“To be fair he does well against all those lads,” added Norwich-based trainer Everett.

“He does six-rounders with Daniel Dubois, the biggest, nastiest puncher out there at the moment.”

Former Chantry High School pupil Wardley – trained by Rob Hodgins – is on the next Norwich boxing bill, promoted by Mervyn Turner’s Shamrock Promotions, on Saturday when he will be looking to make it three straight wins as a professional.

“He’s a good asset to our shows, that’s for sure,” added Everett. “He is doing very well and he is young, he has youth on his side. He listens and he learns and Mervyn is managing him well. His trainer Rob Hodgins is training him really well.”

Everett’s enthusiasm for Wardley wasn’t always so solid.

- Wardley eager for challenge after pro debut

East Anglian Daily Times: Sam Sexton lands a jab to Fabio Wardley's stomach during sparring. Picture: SONYA DUNCANSam Sexton lands a jab to Fabio Wardley's stomach during sparring. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

“When he first came here he had speed and a few other things but I thought he probably could have done with a year or two as an amateur, but he has dug in and he has worked very, very hard,” he said.

“Fabio has really put the work in, and he is a great lad.”

Saturday’s bill also includes Sudbury’s Billy Bird, Alan Ratibb, from Colchester, the big-hitting unbeaten Joe Hurn, from Clacton, who is returning to the ring after an absence of almost exactly a year, plus Colchester-based paratrooper Connor Vian, who has won four out of four as a pro.