Could Fabio Wardley pull off a 'miraculous' knockout win against Oleksandr Usyk? British heavyweight Solomon Dacres thinks so, and he's not alone. But is it really possible? Let's take a closer look at the man who's causing a stir in the boxing world.
Fabio Wardley, a former white-collar boxer, has been on a winning streak, knocking out Frazer Clarke, Justis Huni, and most recently, Joseph Parker. These victories have propelled him to the position of mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title, currently held by the undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk. But what makes Wardley's rise so intriguing is his background. He barely had an amateur career, which makes his success even more remarkable.
However, the odds are stacked against him. Usyk is an Olympic gold medallist and a two-weight undisputed champion, making him a formidable opponent. But former English heavyweight champion Solomon Dacres, who has sparred with Wardley, believes that Wardley could pull off the impossible. "No one's done it to Usyk, none of the unified champions, he's done it back to back against these champions, you can't ever go against him," Dacres told Sky Sports. But he didn't entirely rule out a Wardley knockout victory, saying, "If it did happen it would be something miraculous. And, you know what, it could happen. Never say never. Never say never, honestly. You can't doubt anyone, especially in heavyweight boxing. You never know what's going to happen."
Dacres' confidence in Wardley is not unfounded. He has a proven track record of success, having beaten former world champion Joseph Parker and Olympians. He's also beaten guys with extensive amateur pedigrees. But the question remains: can he beat Usyk?
While it's a long shot, Wardley's story serves as an inspiration. His journey from white-collar fighting to becoming a top heavyweight contender is a testament to the power of belief. As Dacres reflects, "From his background, white-collar fighting, at 20 years old or 21 years old he picked it up and getting to where he is now, beating people like Joe Parker, a former world champion, he's beat Olympians. He's beat guys with extensive amateur pedigree. If he can do that, then I'm just saying the sky is only the limit for me. It does make you believe in yourself."
So, while the odds are against him, Wardley's story is a reminder that anything is possible. His next target is Frazer Clarke, an old sparring partner from the GB squad, and he's determined to prove himself. As he says, "He's always been the No 1. I got on to GB, you could say he stopped me from going to the Olympics as well. It was like a roadblock. I'm sure he's made a lot more money than me based off going to those Olympics. I'm sure I could have been an Olympic medallist in the same time frame. It would be very satisfying to get that historic roadblock buried!"
Will Wardley pull off the upset of the century? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: he's got the world's attention, and he's not going down without a fight.
