Fabio Wardley could next face Anthony Joshua’s ex-rival or forgotten heavyweight in title shot
Fabio Wardley could face the winner of Kubrat Pulev’s WBA ‘regular’ world title clash with Michael Hunter.
The British heavyweight had an epic homecoming victory, knocking out Justis Huni at Ipswich’s Portman Road in front of thousands of stunned fans.
He was down on the scorecards after ten rounds but produced a moment of brilliance, albeit disputed by Huni, which sets him up for a big future at heavyweight.
Victory for Wardley saw him capture the WBA interim heavyweight world title.
He was previously ordered to face Pulev earlier this year, the current WBA ‘regular champion’ the belt above the interim title.
But Wardley accused the Bulgarian of ‘running scared’ and the fight failed to materialise.
Pulev is now set to face Hunter, a forgotten heavyweight, on August 23 for the belt after promoter Don King won purse bids.
And Wardley’s trainer Ben Davison told talkSPORT he expects it will be the primary option for Wardley next.
He explained: “[Wardley’s win over Huni] was for the WBA interim [title].
“I’m hearing Pulev and Michael Hunter might be getting a fight on, maybe [Wardley could face] the winner.
“We don’t know how these belts might fragment, so we’ll see. If there’s titles, that needs to be his priority.”
Wardley is unlikely to receive a shot at the full world titles for now.
Joseph Parker will likely be mandated to face the winner of Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed title rematch with Daniel Dubois on July 19.
And unless he beats either Hunter or Pulev, a former foe of Anthony Joshua in 2020, he is unlikely to be first in line.
Nonetheless for now, the Ipswich native will be delighted with his epic comeback victory.
And his promoter Frank Warren believes his trajectory is likely to spear him to the top.
“He’s the WBA interim champion, there’s another big fight on another big show on the 19th of July, four belts on the line,” he said.
“Somebody’s going to come away with those four belts and once that’s done, there will be some mandatories.
“And during that period of time, they’ll all get a shot, all the various guys will get a shot for their specific belts.
“For me, whenever Fabio feels he’s ready to go, we’re here to make it happen for him.
“We love working with his team, they’re such good people to work with, enthusiastic, get behind the promotion – it’s a promoter’s dream and makes it really easy for us to do it and put it together.
“We’re with him and we’re going to deliver for him.”
