Ipswich’s Fabio Wardley took a little less than three minutes to illustrate just why he is so highly thought of in the burgeoning British heavyweight ranks.
Wardley’s third outing as a pro in Norwich on Saturday lasted just two minutes and 54 seconds as he delivered a thundering right hand which sent Scott Saward to the canvas – and illustrated why the 22-year-old is eager to elbow his way into the massed ranks of heavyweight wannabes.
Wardley has been sparring with the best in recent weeks – British heavyweight champion Sam Sexton, Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora – but on Saturday was faced with something of a conundrum.
Having seen a succession of opponents drop out at late notice, Wardley came up against 6ft 8in Saward, who had weighed in almost four stones heavier.
But Wardley is a quick learner: he quickly realised Saward could swing and that, with his own three-fight unbeaten record to preserve, was more than a fall-guy.
Wardley’s hand speed and movement asks questions of opponents – Saward just didn’t last long enough to get in an inquiry. Wardley guided him back to his own corner, found the space and then landed a booming right which felled Saward, who banged his fists on the canvas in frustration as his legs failed to hoist him up again.
It signalled an eruption of noise from the travelling Ipswich fans, who will probably be wondering where their support will take them in future years.
“My intention is to keep learning,” said Wardley. “This was a big jump and I am not trying to take massive leaps and bounds every fight.
“I am still new to the business and still learning my trade, but this was an opportunity and I wanted to take it with both hands.
“Next year I definitely want the Southern Area title by the end of the year, absolute minimum. I want two or three fights in before that as well, just to keep sharpening the tools.
“I think the heavyweight division is in the best form it has been in for some years now, from my level up to people like Joshua, Whyte and Sam Sexton, who has helped me so much sparring in Norwich.
“The whole spectrum is really good so there are a lot of options for us to look at and a lot of tasty fights as well which we can go for.”
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