FABIO Wardley has vacated the British heavyweight title, leaving it open for the next set of challengers to step forward and stake their claims for domestic honours. The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed the vacation in their latest information circular.
Wardley has his sights set on Kubrat Pulev who holds the WBA world heavyweight title after beating Manuel Charr on points in December 2024. While Oleksandr Usyk is the ‘Super’ champion, Wardley was installed as the number one contender in the WBA rankings. He was last seen dramatically ending his rivalry with Frazer Clarke by devastating one-round KO.
Wardley and Clarke boxed to a draw in March 2024, during which Clarke was dropped and deducted a point for low blows. That same belt will be contested by David Adeleye and Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva on Frank Warren’s April 5 show in Manchester. As soon as Wardley relinquished the title, the Stewards of the Board approved a request from Frank Warren for the Adeleye-Tshikeva contest to receive title status.
Adeleye won the English heavyweight title in December, knocking out Solomon Dacres in one round. Dacres had previously scored back-to-back wins over Middlesbrough’s Michael Webster to cement his place at English level. Tshikeva forced his way into the picture by stopping Webster last month for an IBO bauble.
Ipswich’s Wardley has proven himself above this level, and even though he won’t leave with a Lonsdale Belt in his possession, Wardley’s 18-0-1 slate with 17 KOs indicates that the time is right to move on up and challenge experienced veteran Pulev for the Bulgarian’s secondary world title.
