Suffolk boxing star Fabio Wardley is set for the biggest fight of his career against a two-time world title challenger in March, it was revealed tonight.
Ipswich heavyweight Wardley (10-0, 9KO), a former Chantry High School pupil with heavy hands, a lightning jab and fast feet, will fight Eric Molina on March 6.
Molina, (27-6, 19 KO), is another step up for Wardley, who wiped out dangerous puncher Richard Lartey in just two rounds last November.
The 38-year-old fought Deontay Wilder for the WBC strap in June 2015, losing in nine rounds, before stepping in with Anthony Joshua - who Wardley recently sparred - for the IBF belt in December 2016, getting stopped in three.
And Wardley says taking a fight with Molina, who's also mixed it with the likes of Tomasz Adamek, Dominic Breazeale and Filip Hrgovic, is another example of his ambition and self-belief.
"He's a good opponent for where I'm at, and the impression I'm trying to make in fights," Wardley explained. "I could have taken an easy fight, but I have to build my experience and get better. The only way you can do that is to fight good opponents.
"He's proved that he can stay in there, he'll always be trying to fight and win no matter what the situation, and that's ideal for what I need and what I'm looking for.
"Make no mistake, each fight has been an incremental step up, and this one is perhaps a bigger jump than previously given he's a two-time world title challenger, but I'm happy with it.
"He's a fringe world-level guy, a gatekeeper to the best in the division, and that's what I want."
When asked what a win over a name like Molina would do for him, the 26-year-old replied: "I think it just pushes my name further into serious consideration.
"The last two fights I've been getting taken a bit more seriously, people saying that I'm the real deal. If I can get past someone like Eric Molina with a KO then it will really show what I'm capable of and make a statement.
"After that, we're trying not to stick too much to just hunting for the British title this year - there's the European and Commonwealth belts too, so we're just keeping our options open."
And Wardley, who's stopped nine opponents in a row, despite constantly stepping up in competition, can't see Molina making it to the final bell in March.
"I just want to get some rounds in," he said. "He's not a simple opponent to fight, he's got decent head movement and movement overall.
"I think it will go six or seven rounds, maybe into eight, and by then I'll be able to put my foot down and get him out of there."
Wardley, who fights out of the Suffolk Punch Gym under head trainer Rob Hodgins, is now back in full-time training after testing positive for coronavirus over Christmas.
He explained: "I got corona on Boxing Day. To be honest, I thought it was just a hangover - I had a few drinks on Christmas Day - because I just had a raging headache, but then my taste started to go so I got tested.
"I had about two rough days where I felt like s**t - I was run down and just slept loads, plus I didn't have much of an appetite.
"All things considered, I got off pretty lightly with it."
The March 6 event will be headlined by the rematch between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin. Campell Hatton, son of British boxing legend Ricky, will make his pro debut on the same card.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here