'Big, big fights' - Promoter Warren expects Wardley to fight for world title in 2025

Boxing promoter Frank Warren says he expects Suffolk heavyweight star Fabio Wardley to fight for a world title next year.

Wardley, 29, ended his rivalry with Frazer Clarke conclusively and concussively in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, defending his British title with a first round KO of the man with whom he shared a draw in their classic first fight on Easter Sunday.

READ MORE: Wardley decimates Clarke in first round of rematch

This time, the winner was clear - Wardley first wobbled Clarke with a booming right hand over the top, before leaving him slumped on the ropes with a broken cheekbone after a second right hand bomb detonated on the target.

Fabio Wardley on his wat to a first round KO of Frazer Clarke on Saturday (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions) The win moved former Ipswich Town academy player Wardley to a record of 18-0-1 with 17KOs, and very much into the rarefied air of world level fights.

And legendary promoter Warren, who signed the Suffolk slugger to his Queensberry Promotions before the rematch, was effusive in his praise of his new talent.

“That’s a seat on the world stage," Warren enthused, speaking on Steve Bunce's BBC boxing podcast.

"That was a world class knockout, I mean he absolutely poleaxed him – I think he’s fractured a cheekbone and he was out on his feet.

“What a good finisher, that was absolute world class quality finishing.

“And now, next year, big, big fights – he’s in big fights. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t fight for a world title next year.”

Fabio Wardley already holds multiple belts - but now he wants world titles (Image: PA) Wardley already holds the British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles, and said in the aftermath of his win on Saturday that world titles are now his aim.

Brilliant Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk holds three of the four recognised world title belts - the IBO, WBC and WBO - and defends them against Tyson Fury on December 21.

Usyk gave up the IBF world title after beating Fury in their first fight in May, with Daniel Dubois subsequently winning that when he knocked out Anthony Joshua last month.

Wardley would likely need at least one fight at world level before any title challenge, with the likes of Otto Wallin, Derek Chisora and even former world champion Deontay Wilder already mooted as potential dance partners.

Frank Warren with Tyson Fury, who fights champ Olesksandr Usyk for three of the world title belts in December (Image: PA) He said:  "Look, I’m a QP (Queensberry Promotions) boy for a reason now. Uncle Frank’s in charge, he’s running the game – so if he says it, I believe it.

“It’s coming. I made my statement tonight, it’s my first fight since signing to QP, so I had to make a big statement and I’ve done that and ticked it off.

“So I’ve delivered my bit and I always believe in uncle Frank to deliver his.”

Suffolk has never had a boxing world champion. Bury's super-middleweight David Starie, who held the British and Commonwealth titles during his impressive career, lost two challenges for world titles more than 20 years ago.

Like Wardley, Suffolk's David Starie held British and Commonwealth titles - but lost two world title challenges (Image: Andy Abbott) He was beaten on points by Joe Calzaghe for the WBO crown in January 2000, and then lost on points again to Sven Ottke for the IBF belt in June 2003.

Starie retired after that defeat, with a stellar record of 31-4 (24KO).