Everything you need to know as two unbeaten British heavyweights clash when Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye collide on the undercard of the Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou this weekend.
It’s an intriguing match-up between two fighters that are in the early stages of their career and that bring unblemished records to the ring.
Wardley is the British heavyweight champion, who won that vacant title when demolishing Nathan Gorman last year.
The Ipswich man had been due to defend his Lonsdale strap against Frazer Clarke, but the plug was pulled on that fight, and if anything, a clash with Adeleye may prove more of a challenge to the 28-year-old.
The British title is not on the line, due to this contest taking place in Saudi Arabia, but a victory would without doubt be the biggest triumph of either fighter’s career.
Wardley’s wins over Gorman and Nick Webb give the Suffolk slugger the strongest form going into the contest.
Adeleye is yet to face any credible opponents, but the Dale Youth fighter is a multiple-time ABA champion and unexposed in the paid ranks.
The all-British showdown between Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye will take place on Saturday 28th October as part of the Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou undercard.
The televised card will begin at 19:00 UK time. Wardley v Adeleye is the chief support to the main event and it’s expected that the heavyweight clash will get underway at 21:00. Exact timings will depend on the duration of previous bouts.
The bout will take place in the money capital of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The newly-built Kingdom Arena will see a huge crowd of 26,000 fanatical boxing fans packed into the home of Al-Hilal FC.
The fight will be shown live on TNT Sport Box Office (the new name of BT Sport). It’s part of the Fury v Ngannou card and will cost UK customers £21.95.
Wardley is the 2/7 favourite when the pair clash in Riyadh. The Ipswich man is the British champion, the more experienced performer, and has the stronger form coming into the contest.
However, the 28-year-old certainly hasn’t looked the finished article in all of his professional bouts and Adeleye is an interesting 5/2 shot.
The Londoner is an unbeaten and promising heavyweight, and although the 26-year-old is yet to face a serious test, he is well coached and has a good amateur pedigree.
Wardley is the British heavyweight champion and this is an all-British contest, but due to the contest being staged on foreign soil, the Lonsdale belt will not be on the line.
The Ipswich man won the vacant title with a third-round stoppage of Gorman last year, and whatever happens in Saudi Arabia, the British title will remain in Suffolk.
16-0 (15 KOs)
Wardley is the unbeaten British heavyweight champion.
The 28-year-old has looked a little raw in his professional career, but the Ipswich man has proved a rapid improver and he boasts impressive and destructive knockout wins over Gorman and Webb.
The Suffolk slugger has won 15 of his 16 professional bouts by stoppage and there is certainly power from the East Anglian fighter.
12-0 (11 KOs)
Adeleye is also undefeated, with an unblemished record of 12 victories from 12 professional bouts.
Those wins have been in low-key contests, but the Londoner has created a good impression and 11 of those triumphs have come by stoppage.
There is little substance to the Dale Youth fighter’s card, but the 26-year-old has a good amateur pedigree and it would be no surprise if Big D proved up to the task in Saudi Arabia.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
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