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Christopher Walker on Fabio Wardley - The box office attraction who you simply cannot miss
In his latest column, Christopher Walker looks back at a stunning night in Ipswich and has a glance at a fascinating world title fight this week in New York.
Fabio Wardley - Carnage Guaranteed
Saturday night in Ipswich may have provided fight fans with a brutal look at how the rest of Fabio Wardley’s career may play out.
The unbeaten heavyweight, a fighter with genuine world title aspirations, was made to look foolish for the bulk of his intriguing contest with Justis Huni as he failed to get grips with his fellow undefeated rival.
Wardley’s lack of amateur experience and pedigree in the unpaid code had been slightly evident in some parts of his career up to the point he made his ring walk last weekend, and it was Huni who put a greater spotlight on it as the local favourite followed Huni around the ring all night without much purpose or planning.
Then, in round ten, with time desperately running out, Wardley, who was on the verge of maintaining a recent trend in British boxing where homecoming have been ruined by ambitious visitors, found the best right hand of his career, something fight fans already believed he had discovered last October when halting Frazer Clarke in the opening round.
Wardley’s incredible rescue act, a performance that absolutely shattered the heart of Huni, and his team, caused bedlam in Suffolk as chaotic celebrations at ringside demonstrated just how miraculous the turnaround was. For nine and a bit rounds, Wardley’s quality may have been questioned, but for one second, he proved he could be the heavyweight division's must-see attraction.
The next step for Wardley is a vital one as those guiding his career will be well aware of some of the flaws exposed by Huni. Is Wardley a champion in waiting or is he destined to become someone who fans will tune into regardless as they know excitement is guaranteed. Perhaps even both.
Corrie Sanders was never the leading heavyweight, but he briefly held the WBO belt after shockingly destroying Wladimir Klitschko in 2003. Sanders lost four times as a professional, but his dynamite packed left hand ensured he was always in the fight and when you have that box office appeal, the grand fights and occasions are never too far away.
Frank Warren has been in this position many a time with numerous contenders and the next step for Wardley has to be well managed. Heading into the Huni bout, Wardley spoke frequently about testing himself against likes of Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk, but for now, those dreams should be put on hold with calls to Filip Hrgovic, Jermaine Franklin, and Derek Chisora being the immediate priority for Wardley's development.
Wardley may be down the pecking order when it comes to assessing the best heavyweights in British boxing, but as an attraction who has ‘Carnage Guaranteed’ on the label, he is undoubtedly the most exciting.
Six years on from Joshua/Ruiz
Earlier this month, social media was awash with various ‘on this day’ posts relating to Andy Ruiz’s incredible win over Anthony Joshua in June 2019.
A sold-out Madison Square Garden was being treated to the unveiling of boxing’s newest heavyweight star, but what came next caused ripples that are still being felt by the combatants today.
Has a marquee event, one that was intended to launch Joshua into the American mainstream, ever had ramifications for both fighters like this one?
Six months after the heavyweight classic, the contest where it all went wrong for Joshua as he was repeatedly dropped before being rescued by the referee, the Brit rediscovered his form via boxing safely whilst it appeared that Ruiz’s newfound wealth had been spent anywhere but the gym.
(Most Valuable Promotions)Ruiz would not fight again until 2021 when he looked flat against Chris Arreola and that fight was just a few months before Joshua was almost stopped for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk as he lost his world titles on the scorecards to the magical Ukrainian.
The following year, Ruiz and Joshua would only fight once again as the American moved past Luis Ortiz in another lackluster battle while Joshua was beaten by Usyk once more as he suffered his third loss in five fights.
Ruiz took 2023 off, missing in action for the year’s entirety as his old rival rebuilt under new tutelage hoping to once again make an impact in the championship stakes.
In back-to-back months in 2024, Ruiz was fortunate to escape with a draw when he was outworked by Jarrell Miller for large portions of their Los Angles clash but there were no question marks in London as Joshua was destroyed in five rounds by Daniel Dubois.
For Joshua, was this night, the platform for greatness, instead the catalyst for disaster? His quest to dismiss that notion has been admirable with some small successes, but the impact from the Ruiz loss has never really gone away.
Ruiz stepped in to replace Miller in 2019. It may have been better for him, and Joshua, if the original fight just went ahead as planned.
Another big fight for George Kambosos.
George Kambosos has only two of his last five fights, but he will challenge Richardson Hitchins for IBF super-lightweight title at The Theater inside Madison Square Garden this Saturday night.
The venue holds great memories for the Australlian star as he traveled there in 2021 to cause one of the shocks of the years when dropping and outpointing Teofimo Lopez, just one year after the brash New Yorker had defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko. Since then, it has not been easy for Kambosos.
Two consecutive defeats to Devin Haney, with undisputed glory on the line, saw Kambosos receive big paydays, but lopsided defeats on both occasions did not dent Kambosos’ position near the top of the sport.
Matchroom Boxing
A poor showing against Maxi Hughes, one Kambosos was extremely fortunate to squeeze a victory, put him back in the win column, but the manner of is success brought nothing but scrutiny. When it appeared his time amongst the world title scene could be over, Kambosos received another world title opportunity, this time being stopped by Lomachenko.
Whoever plays the biggest part in structuring Kambosos’ career deserves a medal or bonus as that person has once again worked magic to secure him another huge opportunity this weekend.
Regardless of the result, win, lose, or draw, it is highly likely that Kambosos will be in another big fight this time next year.
Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will be streamed exclusively on DAZN PPV, Saturday, June 28 . Buy the PPV now here .
