Ipswich Town: Fabio Wardley on support of club and Town fans

The unbeaten heavyweight sensation (17-0, 16KO) defends his British and Commonwealth titles against Olympian Frazer Clarke (8-0, 6KO) at London's iconic arena this evening.

Wardley is sponsored by his beloved Blues, and wears the club's colours and badge into the ring - but revealed he doesn't want to see any players at ringside tonight. 

Ipswich Town CEO Mark Ashton will be supporting Fabio Wardley at The O2 tonight (Image: Ross Halls)
“Mark's coming, he’s taking a bunch of staff to come along and support," he said of CEO Ashton. "He loves it, so he’ll be there.

“The players aren’t going – I’ve told them none of them are allowed to come, because we’ve got Southampton on Monday so they can get to bed.

READ MORE: 'I know I'm much better' - Wardley's warning to title foe Clarke

“I was speaking to Harry (Clarke) the other day and he said about wanting to come, but I said ‘No, no, no, you get yourself to bed mate and get an early night because there’s a big game on Monday.’

“They’re supportive, they message me before and after fights. We’ve got a great, great bunch of lads, they’re a great team and they all look out for and support me as well.

“It’s fantastic. We’re all just doing really well, moving forward and wanting whoever else is around us to join in as well and keep it going.”

Wardley says he's told Harry Clarke and other Town stars to get an early night rather than head to the O2 (Image: PA)
The bond between Blues and boxer is evident, with plenty of Town fans travelling to the O2 to back their history-making fighter this evening. 

“It is special," Wardley said of the connection. "Football fans as a whole, but especially Town fans, once they embrace you, you’re one of their own.

“I definitely feel like that. I’ve loved the club since I was a boy and to share in their success, in terms of what they’re doing, plus be able to move alongside them, doing my own thing but representing them, in the same way they represent the town, is fantastic.”

Wardley's dream is to one day fight at Portman Road, something he and the club have already discussed and are keen to make happen. 

Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke faced off at Portman Road in the build-up to their fight (Image: PA Images)
If he beats Clarke, one more defence of the British title would see him win the famed Lonsdale belt outright - so could that be the fight which happens at Town's home?

“Winning the belt outright is a fantastic achievement, and it’s something I’d like to do," he said. "But I don’t want to have a fight just for the sake of it to do that.

“I’d want to have a good fight, a meaningful fight, a big fight – because they’re the ones I love being part of and I love everything that goes into them.

“If those two things can mesh together and the right fight comes up then yes, definitely.

“If not, there’s a lot of big options for me to fight other big names in the division now I’m world-ranked on the international stage, so there’s other big opportunities out there for me.

“Portman Road is definitely on the cards and an option. I’ve spoken to Mark and he’s been on me more than I’ve been on him about it, he loves the idea and he wants it to happen.

“Obviously I want to make sure I do it properly though, with a big name, big fight, big occasion and make sure it all comes off perfectly.

“Fingers crossed after this we’ll start looking around and see what the options are. If any make sense, we’ll go from there.”

After this weekend's bumper action, next up for Town is a trip to old rivals Norwich City on Saturday as they bid to end almost 15 years without a derby day win.

Wardley wears the Town badge and colours in the ring (Image: Matthew Pover/Matchroom Boxing)
And Wardley, who missed the Portman Road fixture in December, has made sure he'll be there this time.

“I am going on holiday after this fight, but I will be at the game," he stressed. 

"I messed up the first time and got my dates wrong, but this time I’ve made sure that the holiday was after the game, so I’ll be there!”