Fabio Wardley

Fabio Wardley Could Fight for a World Title in 2025 After WBA Announcement

by

Fabio Wardley’s path to world honours has taken a major step forward following his brutal dispatching of Frazer Clarke last time out. While the initial WBA “Regular” title shot against Kubrat Pulev did not materialise as planned, Wardley has since navigated a dynamic heavyweight landscape, claiming and then losing a major world title.

Wardley has been building momentum with impressive performances. His recent war with Frazer Clarke saw him defend his British and Commonwealth titles in a brutal yet thrilling contest. That win cemented his status as one of the most exciting rising stars in the division.

The undefeated British heavyweight was initially in line for a shot at the WBA “Regular” title after the organisation’s ruling on March 4, 2025, ordering him to face Kubrat Pulev. However, the heavyweight division proved to be a rapidly evolving landscape, and Wardley’s journey took several unexpected turns, leading him to capture a different world title before facing a formidable challenge.

Wardley, who also holds a win over David Adeleye, has not named his next opponent yet, or venue, but it seems the WBA Regular belt holder is the clear choice for the heavyweight contender to go down, and, as a lifelong Ipswich Town fan, it could even land in Portman Road stadium.

Image

Wardley’s Ascent to World Honours

Fabio Wardley’s highly anticipated rematch with Frazer Clarke on October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delivered a definitive statement. After their thrilling split decision draw on March 31, 2024, Wardley left no doubt in the second encounter, securing a devastating first-round knockout victory to retain his British and Commonwealth titles. Clarke reportedly suffered a broken jaw and visible skull deformation from the brutal finish. This emphatic win further solidified Wardley’s reputation as a powerful and exciting heavyweight.

Following the WBA’s initial order for Pulev vs. Wardley for the WBA “Regular” title, negotiations stalled. Consequently, the WBA adjusted its plans, ordering Kubrat Pulev to defend his “Regular” title against Michael Hunter, while Fabio Wardley was slated to face Jarrell Miller for the WBA Interim title. Wardley’s promoter, Queensberry Promotions, had requested an interim title shot against Miller to avoid losing a scheduled date and venue.

The Ipswich native ultimately fought Justis Huni for the WBA Interim heavyweight title on June 7, 2025, at his beloved Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Wardley emerged victorious, stopping Huni by knockout in the 10th round. This performance earned him widespread acclaim, with the knockout being recognised as “Knockout of the Year” by ESPN, Boxing News, and British Boxing News.

Building on this momentum, Wardley then challenged Joseph Parker for the WBO Interim World Heavyweight championship on October 25, 2025, at The O2 Arena in London. In another impressive display, Wardley defeated Parker by technical knockout in the 11th round. His ascent continued as he was subsequently promoted to full WBO Heavyweight World Champion in November 2025, after unified champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt to pursue other ventures. For his remarkable achievements in 2025, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) named Wardley their “2025 Boxer of the Year”.

The Shifting Heavyweight Landscape: Pulev and Hunter’s Paths

Standing in Wardley’s original path for the WBA “Regular” title was Kubrat Pulev, the seasoned Bulgarian contender. Pulev, born on May 4, 1981, and now 45 years old, had captured the WBA “Regular” heavyweight belt by defeating Mahmoud Charr via unanimous decision on December 7, 2024, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Pulev’s professional record stands at 32 wins, 4 losses, and 0 draws, with 14 of his victories coming by knockout.

The WBA had ordered Pulev to defend his “Regular” title against Wardley, setting up a tough test. However, as negotiations for Pulev vs. Wardley fell through, the WBA mandated Pulev to defend his title against Michael Hunter. Michael Hunter, an American heavyweight with a record of 24-1-2 (17 KOs), was named the WBA Heavyweight Official Challenger. Hunter has maintained an active schedule, with recent wins including a fifth-round knockout over Eli Frankham on December 5, 2025, and a unanimous decision victory against Cassius Chaney on June 7, 2024.

Ultimately, Kubrat Pulev did not face Hunter for the WBA “Regular” title. Instead, Pulev defended his WBA “Regular” title against Murat Gassiev on December 12, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he suffered a sixth-round knockout loss. This result meant that Murat Gassiev became the new WBA “Regular” heavyweight champion.

A New Chapter: Wardley’s Reign and the Dubois Challenge

For Wardley, 2025 was indeed the “Year of Wardley,” culminating in his promotion to full WBO Heavyweight World Champion. However, his reign as WBO champion was met with a significant challenge in 2026. On May 9, 2026, Fabio Wardley faced fellow British heavyweight Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, in a highly anticipated WBO World Heavyweight championship fight. [cite: 4, 12, 21, 24]

The contest proved to be a thrilling affair, with Wardley experiencing early success, dropping Dubois twice. [cite: 21] However, Dubois mounted a remarkable comeback, ultimately stopping Wardley by technical knockout in the 11th round. [cite: 4, 12, 21, 24] This defeat marked the first professional loss for Wardley, bringing his record to 20 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. [cite: 4, 12] Daniel Dubois, now a two-time world heavyweight champion, claimed the WBO title. [cite: 21, 24] The fight was lauded by promoter Frank Warren as potentially the “best heavyweight fight he has ever put on” and was considered a “Fight of the Year” candidate. [cite: 21] A rematch clause is reportedly in place, hinting at a potential second encounter between the two British heavyweights. [cite: 21]

Wardley’s Knockout Prowess: A Detailed Look

Though Wardley is a prolific knockout artist, with 19 knockouts in his 20 professional wins, the Ipswich man has not stopped every opponent he’s faced. [cite: 4, 8, 11, 12] His professional debut came against Jakub Wojcik on April 7, 2017, a bout he won on points over four rounds. [cite

Fabio Wardley’s path to world honours has taken a major step forward following his brutal dispatching of Frazer Clarke last time out. While the initial WBA “Regular” title shot against Kubrat Pulev did not materialise as planned, Wardley has since navigated a dynamic heavyweight landscape, claiming and then losing a major world title.

Wardley has been building momentum with impressive performances. His recent war with Frazer Clarke saw him defend his British and Commonwealth titles in a brutal yet thrilling contest. That win cemented his status as one of the most exciting rising stars in the division.

The undefeated British heavyweight was initially in line for a shot at the WBA “Regular” title after the organisation’s ruling on March 4, 2025, ordering him to face Kubrat Pulev. [cite: 1] However, the heavyweight division proved to be a rapidly evolving landscape, and Wardley’s journey took several unexpected turns, leading him to capture a different world title before facing a formidable challenge.

Wardley, who also holds a win over David Adeleye, has not named his next opponent yet, or venue, but it seems the WBA Regular belt holder is the clear choice for the heavyweight contender to go down, and, as a lifelong Ipswich Town fan, it could even land in Portman Road stadium.

Image

Wardley’s Ascent to World Honours

Fabio Wardley’s highly anticipated rematch with Frazer Clarke on October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delivered a definitive statement. After their thrilling split decision draw on March 31, 2024, Wardley left no doubt in the second encounter, securing a devastating first-round knockout victory to retain his British and Commonwealth titles. [cite: 4, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18] Clarke reportedly suffered a broken jaw and visible skull deformation from the brutal finish. [cite: 12] This emphatic win further solidified Wardley’s reputation as a powerful and exciting heavyweight.

Following the WBA’s initial order for Pulev vs. Wardley for the WBA “Regular” title, negotiations stalled. [cite: 27] Consequently, the WBA adjusted its plans, ordering Kubrat Pulev to defend his “Regular” title against Michael Hunter, while Fabio Wardley was slated to face Jarrell Miller for the WBA Interim title. [cite: 1, 2, 27] Wardley’s promoter, Queensberry Promotions, had requested an interim title shot against Miller to avoid losing a scheduled date and venue. [cite: 27]

The Ipswich native ultimately fought Justis Huni for the WBA Interim heavyweight title on June 7, 2025, at his beloved Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, fulfilling a lifelong dream. [cite: 12] Wardley emerged victorious, stopping Huni by knockout in the 10th round. [cite: 4, 11] This performance earned him widespread acclaim, with the knockout being recognised as “Knockout of the Year” by ESPN, Boxing News, and British Boxing News. [cite: 12]

Building on this momentum, Wardley then challenged Joseph Parker for the WBO Interim World Heavyweight championship on October 25, 2025, at The O2 Arena in London. [cite: 4] In another impressive display, Wardley defeated Parker by technical knockout in the 11th round. [cite: 4] His ascent continued as he was subsequently promoted to full WBO Heavyweight World Champion in November 2025, after unified champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt to pursue other ventures. [cite: 10, 12] For his remarkable achievements in 2025, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) named Wardley their “2025 Boxer of the Year”. [cite: 10]

The Shifting Heavyweight Landscape: Pulev and Hunter’s Paths

Standing in Wardley’s original path for the WBA “Regular” title was Kubrat Pulev, the seasoned Bulgarian contender. Pulev, born on May 4, 1981, and now 45 years old, had captured the WBA “Regular” heavyweight belt by defeating Mahmoud Charr via unanimous decision on December 7, 2024, in Sofia, Bulgaria. [cite: 5, 9, 14, 26, 28] Pulev’s professional record stands at 32 wins, 4 losses, and 0 draws, with 14 of his victories coming by knockout. [cite: 1, 5, 9, 14]

The WBA had ordered Pulev to defend his “Regular” title against Wardley, setting up a tough test. [cite: 1] However, as negotiations for Pulev vs. Wardley fell through, the WBA mandated Pulev to defend his title against Michael Hunter. [cite: 1, 2, 27] Michael Hunter, an American heavyweight with a record of 24-1-2 (17 KOs), was named the WBA Heavyweight Official Challenger. [cite: 2, 3, 6] Hunter has maintained an active schedule, with recent wins including a fifth-round knockout over Eli Frankham on December 5, 2025, and a unanimous decision victory against Cassius Chaney on June 7, 2024. [cite: 6]

Ultimately, Kubrat Pulev did not face Hunter for the WBA “Regular” title. Instead, Pulev defended his WBA “Regular” title against Murat Gassiev on December 12, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he suffered a sixth-round knockout loss. [cite: 5, 9, 16] This result meant that Murat Gassiev became the new WBA “Regular” heavyweight champion. [cite: 16, 20, 21]

Recent News

Copy link
CopyCopied