Fabio Wardley
Personal information
Born (1994-12-18) 18 December 1994 (age 31)
Ipswich, Suffolk, England
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight Heavyweight
Boxing career
Reach 78 in (198 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 22
Wins 20
Win by KO 19
Losses 1
Draws 1

Fabio Wardley (born 18 December 1994) is a British professional boxer. He held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title from 2025 to May 2026. He also held the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim heavyweight title in 2025. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles between 2022 and 2025.

In 2025, Wardley swept British Fighter of the Year honours from ESPN, Boxing News, and British Boxing News, with his knockout of Justis Huni also earning Knockout of the Year recognition from each outlet.[1][2][3][4]

Early life

Wardley was raised by his mother, a single parent.[5] Prior to boxing, he worked as a recruitment consultant and played football on the weekends.[6]

Introduction to boxing

Wardley began boxing at the late age of 21, going on to compete in four white-collar boxing shows, winning all of them by knockout. He had no amateur experience before turning professional.[7]

Professional career

Early career

Wardley turned professional in 2017 at the age of 22, having signed with Mervyn Turner's Shamrock Boxing Promotions.[8] In his first bout he defeated Jakob Wojcik by decision at York Hall.[7] In November 2018, with a 4–0 record and 3 consecutive first round knockouts, Wardley left Shamrock Promotions and signed with fellow British heavyweight and sparring partner Dillian Whyte, who became his manager.[9]

He claimed the vacant English heavyweight title when he beat Simon Vallily by third-round knockout on 1 August 2020.[10][11]

British and Commonwealth champion

Wardley vs. Gorman

Wardley won the British heavyweight title on 26 November 2022 by forcing a corner stoppage in the third round against Nathan Gorman.[12][13]

Wardley vs. Adeleye

On 28 October 2023, Wardley fought David Adeleye on the undercard of the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou contest in Saudi Arabia with the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title, Wardley's British championship and Adeleye's WBO European heavyweight belt and WBA intercontinental heavyweight title all up for grabs. Wardley won the fight via TKO in the seventh round.[14][15]

Wardley vs. Clarke

On 31 March 2024, he retained his four titles with a split decision draw against Frazer Clarke at The O2 Arena in London. One ringside judge scored the fight 114–113 to Wardley, another had it 115–112 for Clarke while the third ruled the contest a 113–113 tie.[16][17][18]

Wardley vs. Clarke II

In August 2024, Wardley signed a multi-fight deal with Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions,[19] ahead of a rematch with Clarke at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol on 12 October 2024. Wardley won by devastating knockout in the first round. Clarke suffered a broken jaw and visible skull deformation following the bout.[20][21][22][23]

Wardley vacated his British title in March 2025 after being named as mandatory challenger for the WBA regular heavyweight championship held by Kubrat Pulev.[24]

WBA and WBO interim heavyweight champion

Wardley vs. Huni

He faced Justis Huni for the WBA interim heavyweight title at Portman Road in Ipswich on 7 June 2025. Originally, he was set to face Jarrell Miller for the title, but Miller pulled out on 30 April, citing a shoulder injury.[25] Huni outboxed Wardley for nine rounds and was well ahead on the scorecards before Wardley suddenly knocked him out in the tenth round with an overhand right, winning the title.[26]

Wardley vs. Parker

On 25 October 2025, Wardley beat former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in the eleventh round via TKO. After stunning Parker and forcing him against the ropes, Wardley unleashed a barrage of punches that prompted referee Howard Foster to stop the fight. With this victory, Wardley captured the WBO interim heavyweight title.[27]

WBO heavyweight champion

Wardley was promoted to full WBO heavyweight champion on 17 November 2025 when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title after being ordered to face him.[28][29]

Wardley vs. Dubois

Wardley was scheduled to make a voluntary first defence of his WBO heavyweight title against former IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on 9 May 2026.[30]

On the night of the fight, Wardley started the first round aggressively, knocking Dubois down just ten seconds into the contest with a clean right hand. He followed this up by dropping Dubois again in the third round. However, Dubois gradually took control of the centre of the ring as the fight progressed. By the later rounds, Wardley began to tire and suffered significant swelling to his right eye as a result of repeated shots to the face. The contest ended in the eleventh round when, after continuous power shots from Dubois, the referee intervened to save a defenceless Wardley from further punishment. Dubois was declared the winner via technical knockout, claiming the WBO title to become a two-time world heavyweight champion.[31]

Personal life

Wardley is a lifelong fan of local team Ipswich Town F.C..[32] He told BBC Radio Suffolk in October 2024 that it was his 'dream' to fight at Ipswich Town's home ground of Portman Road,[33] which he eventually achieved with his knockout victory over Justis Huni on 7 June 2025.[34] In 2025, Wardley became a father with the birth of his daughter.[35]

Professional boxing record

22 fights 20 wins 1 loss
By knockout 19 1
By decision 1 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
22 Loss 20–1–1 Daniel Dubois TKO 11 (12), 0:28 9 May 2026 Co-op Live, Manchester, England Lost WBO heavyweight title
21 Win 20–0–1 Joseph Parker TKO 11 (12), 1:54 25 Oct 2025 The O2 Arena, London, England Won WBO interim heavyweight title
20 Win 19–0–1 Justis Huni KO 10 (12), 1:42 7 Jun 2025 Portman Road, Ipswich, England Won vacant WBA interim heavyweight title
19 Win 18–0–1 Frazer Clarke TKO 1 (12), 2:28 12 Oct 2024 Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Retained British, Commonwealth, and WBA Continental heavyweight titles
18 Draw 17–0–1 Frazer Clarke SD 12 31 Mar 2024 The O2 Arena, London, England Retained British, Commonwealth, WBA Continental, and WBO European heavyweight titles
17 Win 17–0 David Adeleye TKO 7 (12), 2:43 28 Oct 2023 Boulevard Hall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Retained British, and WBA Continental heavyweight titles;
Won WBO European, and vacant Commonwealth heavyweight titles
16 Win 16–0 Michael Polite Coffie TKO 4 (10), 0:45 1 Apr 2023 The O2 Arena, London, England Won vacant WBA Continental heavyweight title
15 Win 15–0 Nathan Gorman TKO 3 (12), 0:32 26 Nov 2022 Wembley Arena, London, England Won vacant British heavyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Chris Healey TKO 2 (8), 0:40 9 Jul 2022 The O2 Arena, London, England
13 Win 13–0 Daniel Martz KO 2 (10), 1:30 27 Feb 2022 The O2 Arena, London, England
12 Win 12–0 Nick Webb KO 1 (10), 2:30 7 Aug 2021 Matchroom Headquarters, Brentwood, England Retained English heavyweight title
11 Win 11–0 Éric Molina KO 5 (10), 0:52 27 Mar 2021 Europa Point Sports Complex, Gibraltar
10 Win 10–0 Richard Lartey TKO 2 (10), 1:22 21 Nov 2020 Wembley Arena, London, England
9 Win 9–0 Simon Vallily TKO 3 (10), 1:01 1 Aug 2020 Matchroom Headquarters, Brentwood, England Won vacant English heavyweight title
8 Win 8–0 Mariano Ruben Diaz Strunz TKO 6 (8), 1:06 20 Jul 2019 The O2 Arena, London, England
7 Win 7–0 Dennis Lewandowski TKO 3 (8), 2:35 10 May 2019 Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England
6 Win 6–0 Morgan Dessaux TKO 1 (6), 1:43 2 Feb 2019 The O2 Arena, London, England
5 Win 5–0 Phil Williams TKO 3 (4), 1:58 22 Dec 2018 The O2 Arena, London, England
4 Win 4–0 Ferenc Zsalek KO 1 (6), 1:41 26 May 2018 Corn Exchange, Ipswich, England
3 Win 3–0 Scott Saward KO 1 (4), 2:54 18 Nov 2017 Epic Centre, Norwich, England
2 Win 2–0 Zheko Zhekov TKO 1 (4), 2:46 22 Jul 2017 Epic Centre, Norwich, England
1 Win 1–0 Jakub Wójcicki PTS 4 8 Apr 2017 York Hall, London, England

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

  • WBO heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)

Interim world titles

  • WBA interim heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)
  • WBO interim heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)

Regional/International titles

  • Commonwealth heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)
  • British heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)
  • WBO European heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)
  • WBA Continental heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)
  • English heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)

See also

  • List of male boxers
  • List of British world boxing champions
  • List of world heavyweight boxing champions

References

  1. ^ "British boxing awards 2025: Fighter of the year, best moment, best knockout". ESPN.com. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  2. ^ "UK Fighter of the Year". pocketmags.com. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Knockout of the Year". pocketmags.com. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  4. ^ "British Boxing News Awards 2025". britishboxingnews.co.uk. 23 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  5. ^ Sessions, George (24 October 2025). "Fabio Wardley inspired by family as world title shot nears". The Independent. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  6. ^ Hogwood, Cam (10 April 2024). "Fabio Wardley's rise from white-collar fighter to O2 Arena headliner as he faces Olympian Frazer Clarke". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  7. ^ a b Hicken, James. "How Fabio Wardley went from white-collar boxing to the brink of an undisputed title shot". www.dazn.com. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  8. ^ "New Ipswich heavyweight Fabio Wardley ready to make professional bow". East Anglian Daily Times. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  9. ^ "It's going to be a very exciting year". 22 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Ted Cheeseman beats Sam Eggington at Eddie Hearn's garden Fight Camp". BBC. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Eggington vs Cheeseman: Fabio Wardley stops Simon Vallily in three rounds of heavyweight grudge match". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  12. ^ Lewis, Ron (26 November 2022). "Fabio Wardley Drops Nathan Gorman Three Times, Stops Him in Third". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Boxing Results: Fabio Wardley Beats Nathan Gorman And Wins Vacant British Heavyweight Title". Boxing News 24. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Wardley stops Adeleye to retain British heavyweight title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Fabio Wardley Drops, Stops David Adeleye in Seventh of Grudge Match". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Fabio Wardley v Frazer Clarke: Bruising British heavyweight title fight ends in split-decision draw". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke fight to bloody draw". ESPN. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Heavyweights Frazer Clarke and Fabio Wardley Share a Wild, Brutal Draw". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Fabio Wardley signs with Queensberry ahead of Frazer Clarke rematch". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Fabio Wardley thrashes Frazer Clarke in rematch, first round knockout". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Fabio Wardley delivers brutal first-round knockout victory against Frazer Clarke in Riyadh". TNT Sports. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Fabio Wardley knocks out Frazer Clarke in first round of heavyweight rematch". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  23. ^ "Frazer Clarke thought he had a 'brain bleed' after Wardley left dent in his head". talkSPORT. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  24. ^ "Wardley vacates British title as WBA shot beckons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  25. ^ "Fabio Wardley faces Jarrell Miller in Portman Road showdown". Boxing News Online. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  26. ^ Taylor, Declan (7 June 2025). "Fabio Wardley saves homecoming with spectacular come-from-behind 10th-round KO to beat Justis Huni". The Ring.
  27. ^ "Parker vs Wardley: Fabio Wardley stops Joseph Parker in huge heavyweight upset". BBC Sport. 25 October 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  28. ^ "Wardley becomes WBO heavyweight champion after Usyk vacates belt". The Guardian.
  29. ^ "Wardley's journey to world champ is unbelievable". BBC News.
  30. ^ "Wardley vs Dubois confirmed for May in Manchester". FIGHTMAG. 13 February 2026.
  31. ^ "Wardley vs Dubois: Londoner captures WBO world title in an all-time classic heavyweight fight". BBC Sport. 9 May 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  32. ^ Hicken, James (4 June 2025). "Who is Fabio Wardley? Meet the rising heavyweight star making his homecoming this weekend". www.dazn.com. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  33. ^ "Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?". Ipswich.co.uk. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  34. ^ FC, Ipswich Town (7 June 2025). "FABIO WINS AT PORTMAN ROAD". Ipswich Town FC. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  35. ^ Ivers, Tom (25 October 2025). "Fabio Wardley balances fatherhood and fighting ahead of Joseph Parker showdown". BoxingScene. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Daniel Dubois 		English heavyweight champion
1 August 2020 – March 2023
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Solomon Dacres
Vacant
Title last held by
Joe Joyce 		British heavyweight champion
26 November 2022 – 14 March 2025
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
David Adeleye
Vacant
Title last held by
Agit Kabayel 		WBA Continental
heavyweight champion
1 April 2023 – March 2025
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Artem Suslenkov
Vacant
Title last held by
Joe Joyce 		Commonwealth heavyweight champion
28 October 2023 – 7 June 2025
Won interim title		 Vacant
Title next held by
Moses Itauma
Preceded by
David Adeleye
WBO European
heavyweight champion
28 October 2023 – July 2024
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Nelson Hysa
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Daniel Dubois 		WBA heavyweight champion
Interim title
7 June – 25 October 2025
Vacated		 Vacant
Preceded by
Joseph Parker
WBO heavyweight champion
Interim title
25 October – 17 November 2025
Promoted
Preceded by
Oleksandr Usyk
Vacated
WBO heavyweight champion
17 November 2025 – 9 May 2026		 Succeeded by
Daniel Dubois