Defending as champ…
Fabio Wardley doesn’t deal in half measures in his compelling story so far.
In recent days, his first title defence as WBO Champion has been announced against Daniel Dubois for 9th May. Dubois, himself, is a former IBF World-title holder.
Wardley became the WBO Champion in slightly low-key circumstances in November, after Oleksandr Usyk vacated that belt. But that is the only anti-climactic moment in the Suffolk heavyweight’s captivating career so far.
Embed from Getty ImagesChallenger Dubois lost to Usyk in his last bout as he attempted to unify the division, but before that, he brutally knocked out Anthony Joshua in September 2024. Wardley’s choice of opponent is not one to ‘ease him into’ his world title defences – but then again, when has he ever taken the easy route?
Wardley vs Dubois is scheduled for the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester and is billed as ‘Don’t Blink’ – with both fighters boasting a 95% knock-out record with their wins. The consensus is that someone is going to be stopped – and that has yet to happen to the undefeated Wardley.
Last time out for FABIO…
Fabio Wardley’s last ‘in-ring’ action was on Saturday, 25th October against the in-form Joseph Parker – arguably a fight that the New-Zealander didn’t even need to take, with him already being the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed throne. So fair play to Parker for taking this challenge rather than waiting for Usyk to recover from a back injury.
And on that wonderful night, Wardley did what he’s been doing his whole career by upsetting the odds. Despite being the underdog and down on the cards, he dramatically stopped Parker in the 11th round. The Ipswich-fighter would later admit that he hadn’t been hurt in this fight and always felt confident of a victory that clinched him the ‘Interim’ WBO title.
The match itself felt deserving of being for the actual WBO title, but this hadn’t yet been vacated by the all-conquering Usyk. The superb scenes, as the referee waved it off, saw Wardley drop to his knees in disbelief. In my opinion, this winning moment – and the way he did it – is up there with one of the greatest sporting moments that I have ever witnessed live. The atmosphere was buzzing – with both shock and admiration.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd although his “Usyk… Usyk…” callout on this victorious night at the 02 seemed ambitious, every time he’s stepped up a level, he’s proven that he truly belongs there.
Wardley wouldn’t be announced as the official WBO champion until November – and this was without having to lift a glove as Usyk stepped aside. A shame in some ways.
Harshly, if things don’t go his way against Dubois, Wardley could lose his title before he’s even had a chance to get used to it. But that’s boxing, and the mark of a man who will not shy away from a potentially dangerous fight. In fact, he relishes them. He’s always done it differently.
The Rise and Rise of Wardley…
Fabio Wardley’s rise from a ‘white-collar’ boxer with no amateur experience is surely one of the most unorthodox methods of success ever. He didn’t start boxing until the age of 20 – just ELEVEN years ago.
His first professional fight was in April 2017 as he beat Jakub Wojiciki on points in a Four-rounder. What followed next was SIXTEEN straight victories – all by KO – as he built his reputation as a devastatingly hard-hitter.
In March 2024, the first major obstacle was negotiated as he served up a brutal encounter against fellow British prospect Frazer Clarke. This match ended in a ‘split-decision draw’ with Wardley a bloody mess after going the full distance of 12 rounds for the first time ever in his career. The nature of this fight – and the damage he received – had many pundits favouring Clarke for the rematch later in the same year.
Embed from Getty ImagesHow wrong they were. Wardley was back in his ‘knock-out territory’ as he stopped Clarke in the very first round of the October 2024 rematch. Wardley’s right hook broke Clarke’s jaw and led to some worrying scenes in the ring. Clarke was a broken man.
Justis Huni would be next. The unbeaten Australian came in as a late replacement for the controversial Jarrell Miller, who sustained a shoulder injury during training.
Ipswich Homecoming…
Embed from Getty ImagesFabio Wardley fought at his beloved Ipswich Town FC as he delivered a stunning one-punch knockout to defeat Justis Huni and claim the ‘Interim’ WBA heavyweight title in June 2025.
A summer of magic. But 20,000 fans very nearly saw his big night out, at Portman Road, fall flat on its face. He was well behind Huni on the scorecards before the 10th round stoppage.
Maybe Wardley did feel the pressure of his hometown crowd on the biggest stage of them all – or maybe it was just the Fabio game plan all along. All heart and a granite chin – soaking up the punishment before ending the contest in the most spectacular of ways. After all, he was losing convincingly until the showstopping moment courtesy of his barbaric right hand.
A tense stadium of fans breathed a huge sigh of relief and were soon ‘singing the Blues’ as their man defied the odds once more – this time to turn the match on its head. Although Wardley was the heavy favourite to win on the night, he was being totally outclassed by the sharper Huni. But then came his trademark knock-out.
Frank Warren called it his “Deontay Wilder” moment – and Wardley himself stated that “I know how to win fights”, which cannot be argued with either here or again in his latest fight with Parker.
Ironically, despite taking ample punishment in multiple fights, the only time Wardley has hit the ground was following a press-conference brawl in 2023. The East-Anglian boxer was cut and ‘dropped’ by a member of his then-upcoming opponent, David Adeleye’s team.
He therefore maintains his impressive record of never having been knocked down inside the ring. That is where he comes alive.
A humble man…
Much has been made of Wardley’s ‘white-collar’ background – and the fact that he may be ‘making up for lost time’ after not getting in the ring until 20-years-of-age. He is humble and knows where he came from – demonstrated by keeping his same backroom team in place for all his fights so far.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe has no ‘so-called amateur pedigree’, but the heart and resilience that runs through him has already carried him all the way to the very top. It remains to be seen if he can take on the best of a generation in Oleksandr Usyk – but so far, he thrives when he is least expected to win. Every time he has been told that the next level is above him, he has risen to the challenge. Every moment of hardship within these fights has further fuelled his desire to get over the line.
Fabio Wardley is no ordinary champion, mainly because he is such an ordinary bloke…
It is well-known that he is an avid Ipswich Town FC supporter – and this was demonstrated to the maximum when he was spotted on a train to Norwich City ahead of the East Anglian derby in April 2024. This was just over a week after his 12-round epic with Frazer Clarke that ended in a ‘split-decision draw’. At the time, he was the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion and made sure he was in full voice with the travelling ‘Blue Army’ despite still sporting several ‘war wounds’ from the recent clash.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn addition, he is now the main sponsor of amateur grassroots football side Ransomes Sports FC in Ipswich – putting his influence back into the very community that he came from. A real coup for the local side, many of whom know the World Heavyweight Champion personally.
And most recently, he enjoyed a night out amongst local festive revellers in his hometown of Ipswich on Christmas Eve. The community still sees him as one of their own.
the story continues…
It could be argued that the ‘Wardley story’ already has its fairytale ending with him becoming the WBO World Champion – but his Usyk ‘call-out’ suggests he isn’t done yet.
And if not Usyk, how about the returning Tyson Fury? Fury, himself, has mooted Wardley as a potential future opponent as he plots a route to becoming a three-time World Heavyweight Champion. Never short of a word or two, the Gypsy King even called Wardley a “dangerous puncher” in the aftermath of his Joseph Parker victory.
The formidable Dubois obviously stands in his way next, but victory here would surely provide yet more mammoth opportunities for Fabio Wardley.
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