What’s Next for Fabio Wardley After His Dominant Win Over Frazer Clarke?
Fabio Wardley’s devastating first-round knockout of Frazer Clarke on Saturday night has catapulted him into the spotlight, leaving fans and analysts speculating about his next opponent. Wardley, who successfully retained his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, is now eyeing more significant challenges as he climbs the ranks of the heavyweight division.
Top Potential Opponents for Fabio Wardley
Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller
Miller would offer Wardley a high-profile bout. The brash American has made headlines for his power and durability, despite recent setbacks, including a draw with Andy Ruiz and a tough loss to Daniel Dubois. Facing Miller could be a smart move for Wardley to gain exposure, especially given Miller’s strong connections in Saudi Arabia, where the fight could potentially take place.
Guido Vianello
The Italian heavyweight, who recently entered the top 15 rankings after an impressive win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, could provide a stiff test for Wardley. While not a household name, Vianello’s mix of power and technical ability would make for an intriguing matchup.
Jared Anderson
Perhaps the most common suggestion is Jared Anderson. Anderson comes off a devastating loss to Martin Bakole, but has operated at a fairly high level prior to his first career defeat, with a win over Charles Martin not too long ago. This is a bout many fans on Twitter are calling for, and would be a great introduction to the world-stage for Fabio Wardley.
Otto Wallin
The Swedish fighter is best known for his gritty 2019 bout against Tyson Fury, where he opened a nasty cut on Fury’s eye. Wallin, though more experienced, would potentially be a solid option for Wardley, offering a stepping stone into more prominent global fights, especially if Wardley could stop Wallin in better fashion than Anthony Joshua. Wallin is no pushover though, with his last win being against Murat Gassiev, and his durability and solid fundamentals could push Wardley in a longer bout, testing his endurance.
Derek Chisora
A British heavyweight legend, Chisora remains a fan favorite and could offer Wardley a lucrative domestic showdown. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Chisora’s recent victory against Joe Joyce proves he still has something left in the tank. A fight with Chisora could be Wardley’s gateway to a larger British audience and a future world title shot.
Frank Sanchez
For a bigger leap in competition, Wardley might look toward Cuban standout Frank Sanchez. Ranked inside the top 10, Sanchez would provide Wardley with his toughest challenge to date. Though Sanchez is coming off a loss to Agit Kabayel, a win over the Cuban would propel Wardley into title contention.
World Title Aspirations
Wardley’s team has hinted that he could soon be in line for fights against elite opponents such as Zhilei Zhang or Joseph Parker. These names represent world-level competition, and victories here could place Wardley in a mandatory position for a world title fight within the next year.
Wardley is currently ranked 9th in the Ring Magazine heavyweight rankings.
As Wardley continues to build his resume, his path is filled with exciting possibilities. Whether he opts for a safer, incremental step up in competition or goes straight for a top-tier opponent, the boxing world will be watching closely.
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