AFTER a brilliant win for one British heavyweight last night there is another wanting some big-fight action.
Fabio Wardley not only extended his unbeaten record after an edge of the seat win against Joseph Parker but the Ipswich heavyweight is now a front-runner to challenge undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2026.
A slew of heavyweights, from Tyson Fury to Daniel Dubois, watched the action at the O2 Arena as did David Adeleye, 14-2 (13 KOs). The 28-year-old knows all too well what it’s like to go to war against Wardley having fought him in October 2023. A tempestuous build-up ended in a seventh-round win for Wardley in Riyadh. Since then Adeleye has won two against Solomon Dacres and Jeamie Tshikeva, respectively, but another step-up in levels against Filip Hrgovic resulted in a second loss for ‘Big D.’
Last night Boxing News caught up with the British heavyweight who boasts a 93 per cent KO ratio from his 16 bouts. Reflecting on last night’s main event at the O2 Arena he said, “You can’t switch off against Wardley. Even though he [Parker] never went over he had a barrage of punches. He persevered, dug deep, kept throwing shots and look what he done.”
The Londoner then gave his opinion on whether or not Wardley has now done enough to earn a crack at Usyk – a fight that would mean a sixth British opponent in the Ukrainian’s career.
“He deserves one,” Adeleye said. “It’ll be a good fight because he throws his shots a bit unorthodox. They come from different places so it’ll be a good fight.”
With two fights to his name in 2025 Adeleye is keen for a third. An all-British heavyweight swansong for Derek Chisora against Dillian Whyte is in the works for December and Adeleye is keen on a domestic sizzler of his own.
Adeleye first revealed when he is expected to return. “December. Not too long.”
While a fight against British sensation Moses Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), may not materialise for then there is no doubt it could be a possibility for 2026.
“Don’t mind,” Adeleye said of facing Itauma.
“It goes back to what the management, agents [and] lawyers say. I would say yes to anybody.”
