British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley (17-0, 16KOs) vowed to maintain his knockout streak when he faces Frazer Clarke (8-0, 6KOs) on March 31.
Wardley is on a 16-fight knockout streak following a points win on his professional debut in 2016. The run has seen the Ipswich-based heavyweight contender rise to the top of the British domestic rankings. In his last outing, Wardley impressed and defied expectations with an impressive seventh-round knockout victory over David Adeleye, successfully defending his British and Commonwealth titles in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Clarke, however, is seen as the biggest threat to Wardley’s domestic title reign. He has had an impressive start to life as a professional following a decorated amateur career that saw him achieve Olympic bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.
Despite his amateur accolades, Clarke is building as a professional.
Wardley, however, believes he has the ability and power to halt Clarke and give the challenger a rude awakening when the pair clash at London’s O2 Arena.
“My record speaks for itself,” Wardley told Sky Sports. “I’m always looking for a knockout and an early night. I’m not trying to stay in there too long and take too much damage, so the sooner it gets done, the better for me.
“But that’s always the objective. It’s to knock my opponent out, make the fight entertaining, and get my hand raised.”
Despite Wardley’s intentions to bank an early night, he insists he is ready for all possible scenarios.
“I always visualize, but it’s never a one-step plan. Boxing never goes in just one way. There are many different ways it can go, and I’m planning for all eventualities,” Wardley added.
“I’m looking at it if it goes into the later rounds, if it goes early, if I have to be switched on early or if something goes wrong, like if I get cut – things like that.
“You’ve got to be ready and mentally prepared for all these different avenues, and I believe all of my career fights to date have built me to this moment and put me in a place where I’m comfortable whatever goes on in there [ring].”
Despite their rivalry, Wardley concedes that the former Olympian is the biggest threat to his unbeaten record so far but remains confident he will leave the ring with the Lonsdale Belt.
“I enjoy the little back-and-forth [with Clarke] and the poking and the build-up,” Wardley admitted. “The fight before the fight, almost. Seeing how mentally strong you are and if you can hold out through some of the back-and-forth that goes on.
“I’m just trying to have some fun with it. It’s just another fight, but it will be my toughest test.
“I ultimately believe that I’m ahead of him [Clarke], I’m better than him and I will beat him on the night.”