Heavyweight boxer Fabio Wardley is navigating an extraordinarily busy period, preparing for a pivotal fight against Justis Huni while simultaneously anticipating the arrival of his first child.
The 30-year-old is scheduled for a significant bout against the undefeated Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) this Saturday. The fight takes place in Wardley`s hometown of Ipswich at Portman Road Stadium, an event positioned as a crucial step towards potentially challenging for a heavyweight world championship.
Adding to the momentous nature of the week, Wardley is set to become a father just days after his high-stakes confrontation in the ring.
When questioned about potential distractions during his training camp due to the impending birth, Wardley offered a wry, somewhat sarcastic smile before responding.
“Nope. Everything has been perfect!” he joked, then added, “Nah, it`s been a bit hectic but to be fair it`s a credit to her [Wardley`s girlfriend] really. She`s been chilled all the way through. She`s quite good at just letting me let me crack on with what I`ve needed to do.”
Wardley emphasized the necessity of maintaining intense focus amidst the personal whirlwind.
“You just have to stick the blinders on and focus on one thing at a time,” he explained. “Until the little one actually turns up, the focus is the job at hand [on] Saturday. Once that`s done then we can forget about boxing for a minute or two.”
This week, Wardley`s full concentration must be on preparing for the occasion, especially with an expected crowd of over 20,000 fans eager to support their local heavyweight hopeful.
“It is definitely a big thing for the town,” Wardley shared with the media ahead of the fight. He highlighted the significant local buzz surrounding the event.
“The big thing round here is pretty much Ed Sheeran and the football club. If those things are going off then they`re the main noises. Edging myself towards those two things, it`s quite funny to be fair.”
He described the constant interaction with enthusiastic residents.
“Wherever I go… fill up my car or go to the shops, someone`s like `I`ve got a ticket` or `good luck!`. I went to get an eye test and everyone was stopping me. I was just like `I need to get out of here.`” He concluded, “It is good, it`s really good. Everyone`s buzzing and counting down to fight night.”
Setting aside personal milestones and the local frenzy, Wardley faces a challenging opponent in Huni, who came in as a replacement for the originally scheduled Jarrell Miller. Huni presents a different style, known for his adept footwork and technical boxing skills.
Wardley enters this fight after two gruelling encounters with Frazer Clarke. Their first meeting resulted in a hard-fought draw, while the rematch saw Wardley secure a definitive first-round knockout victory.
Now, his complete focus is on the task presented by Huni.
“His amateur record and experience speak for themselves,” Wardley stated. “He probably is more skilled and well put together than Miller. We`re both coming into this with something to prove and somewhere to go.”
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow