Frank Warren must strike while the iron is hot - Fabio Wardley next fight must be gargantuan

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 14/10/2024

- 16:25

Fabio Wardley laid down a statement after destroying Frazer Clarke inside one round on Saturday night

Fabio Wardley made mincemeat of Frazer Clarke on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, now his promoter Frank Warren must do his job.

In the realm of British heavyweights, the roost is ruled by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and now Daniel Dubois.


But with the former duo licking their wounds from their most recent defeats, there is room for another to move into the upper echelons of world boxing.

There is no one hotter in Britain right now in heavyweight boxing than Wardley, who made himself heard on Saturday night in Riyadh by dismantling Clarke in one round.

Fabio Wardley

Fabio Wardley made a statement after beating Frazer Clarke on Saturday

DAZN

Having battled to a draw in their previous bout earlier this year in May in what many consider the fight of the year, there was huge anticipation for their rematch on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol undercard.

It could have been a main event fight itself but the contest was over in a matter of moments.

Wardley insisted he was sticking to his game-plan from the first fight and it proved perfect - knocking the equilibrium out of Clarke with a brutal right hand over the top.

From that moment, Clarke was a sitting duck - though he showed true warrior spirit to hit an impressive uppercut - but the writing was on the wall.

And when his hands dropped, Wardley delivered the knockout blow that broke Clarke's cheekbone and left him with a gruesome dent on the side of his head, forcing him to be rushed to hospital.

The 29-year-old proved he is a fighter to be reckoned with - but so many times have boxers failed to capitalise on their time in the sun.

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After beating Joseph Parker, Joe Joyce was the name on everyone's lips but faded after two shock defeats to Zhilei Zhang.

Andy Ruiz Jr's famous victory over Joshua was squandered, enjoying the payday rather than forging a legacy in the sport.

It could even be argued that Dubois, though now receiving his flowers, can be accused of waiting too long to step up - though after Joyce broke his eye socket to inflict a first defeat in his career in November 2020, that certainly threw a spanner in the works for Triple D.

Warren cannot afford to wait around this time, he needs a big name to take on Wardley next year and the details need to be arranged as soon as possible.

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Frank Warren

Frank Warren must strike while the iron is hot

Reuters

A title fight might be a bit too far for the Ipswich-born boxer - Oleksandr Usyk is the clear top gun in heavyweight boxing right now.

But a challenger bout could be the perfect option and several names have been mentioned including Tom Schwarz, Otto Wallin and Filip Hrgovic - or even Dillian Whyte.

However, Wardley will want a fighter to catapult him into stardom and that man could be Joshua.

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Fabio Wardley

Fabio Wardley scored a stunning KO victory over Frazer Clarke

DAZN

AJ is looking to rebuild his reputation after a damaging defeat to his reputation by Dubois - the fourth of his career.

The former world champion has fallen down the pecking order when it comes to trying to win back his heavyweight titles, now owned by Dubois and Usyk.

Many are desperate to see Joshua fight Fury but even the glamour of that tie has been slightly tarnished by their recent records suffering losses - due to the fact they have taken too long to face one another in their primes.

Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua could be the ideal opponent for Fabio Wardley

PA

Wardley would certainly still be the underdog despite his record of 18 wins and one draw from 19 fights but a victory over AJ would see him enter that conversation of top British heavyweights immediately.

It would be a huge money fight, have massive interest in England and also see Warren and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn also lock horns once again.

So, strike while the iron is hot, Frank. Make Joshua vs Wardley happen.

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