Professional boxing returns to Ipswich for the first time in almost 20 years on Saturday, with a show built around talented heavyweight prospect Fabio Wardley. Mark Heath previews the action...
When and where
The show, aptly titled ‘The Homecoming’, will be held at the Ipswich Corn Exchange on Saturday, May 26.
Doors open at 6.30pm and the first bell is set for 7.30pm, with the main event – the aforementioned Mr Wardley – expected to start at around 10pm.
Some tickets are still available, starting at £40, at www.shamrockboxing.co.uk.
The card
The show will feature seven pro contests, topped with Wardley bidding to move to 4-0 as a professional in his first six-rounder against tough Hungarian Ferenc Zsalek, who’s had almost 100 fights.
Another Ipswich lad, middleweight Ryan Copland, makes his pro debut against Paul Cummings, while Clacton’s Joe Hurn battles Hoskins Gomez and Colchester’s Connor Vian trades leather with MJ Hall.
Unbeaten light-heavy Dan Azeez faces Charlie Garret, while Ray Moylettie and Steve Norman will also fight, against opponents yet to be confirmed.
Fab’s a future star
Wardley, 23, has everything you need to be a star in the fight game – the name (and what a name), looks and charisma plus pugilistic skills.
He moves like a man much smaller than his 6ft 5ins frame, dropping his hands and using head movement to land the hurtful shots which have seen him win his last two fights in the first round.
He’s been sparring with the likes of Tyson Fury, Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte – incredible work for such a young prospect – and is tipped as a future British champion.
Fear the Lion
Unbeaten welterweight Vian, nicknamed the Lion, is also a serving Paratrooper – so not a man to take lightly.
He’s 7-0 in his young career – all points wins – and looks to be one to watch.
Another win here and we’ll be talking titles in the not too distant future.
Good to be back
Promoter Mervyn Turner, who’s been running successful shows down the road in Norwich in recent years, is delighted to be bringing big-time boxing back to Ipswich.
He said: “It’s fantastic – the area has a rich history of boxing and boxing champions and, with a great prospect like Fabio and a lot of other talent coming through, we can really build on that.
“Fabio can certainly box for a British title and hold the belt – and after that, who knows how far he can go?”
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