Fabio Wardley is facing an incredibly demanding period.
The 30-year-old heavyweight boxer is scheduled for a pivotal fight against Justis Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) this Saturday in his hometown of Ipswich at Portman Road Stadium. This bout is a crucial step towards a potential world championship title.
Adding to the pressure, Wardley is also expecting to become a father just a few days after the fight.
When asked if the impending arrival of his child has been a distraction during training camp, Wardley replied with a sarcastic smile:
“Nope. Everything has been perfect!”
He continued, acknowledging the reality:
“Nah, it`s definitely been a bit hectic, but honestly, credit goes to my girlfriend. She`s been so calm throughout. She`s really good at just letting me focus on what I need to do.”
Wardley emphasized his approach:
“You just have to put the blinkers on and concentrate on one thing at a time. Until the baby actually arrives, my full attention is on the task at hand this Saturday. Once the fight is over, then we can take a break from boxing for a little while.”
Indeed, this week requires Wardley`s complete focus on preparing for the fight, especially with over 20,000 local fans expected to fill the stadium and support their hometown hopeful.
“It`s definitely a huge event for the town,” Wardley told the media before the fight.
He added, “The biggest things around here are usually Ed Sheeran and the football club. When those are happening, they`re the main buzz. It`s pretty funny to be fair, how I`m now being mentioned alongside them.”
Wardley described the local excitement:
“Everywhere I go… whether I`m getting petrol or going to the shops, someone will say, `I`ve got a ticket,` or `Good luck!` I even went for an eye test and everyone was stopping me. I was like, `I need to get out of here.`”
“It`s great, really great. Everyone is buzzing and counting down to fight night.”
Setting aside the personal milestone and the local frenzy, Wardley must successfully navigate a challenging opponent in Huni. Huni stepped in to replace the original opponent, Jarrell Miller, presenting a significantly different style characterized by good footwork and technical skill.
Wardley is coming off two demanding fights against Frazer Clarke. Their first meeting was a dramatic draw, but in the rematch, Wardley left no doubt, securing a brutal first-round knockout victory.
Now, his attention is solely on Huni.
“His amateur record and experience speak for themselves,” Wardley stated. “He`s probably more skilled and technically sound than Miller. We`re both entering this fight with something to prove and aiming to move forward in the division.”