By Fabio Wardley
I always avoid contemplating the extent of my progress, but one thing I am certain of is that my journey has been quite extraordinary. This upcoming Sunday, I will be participating in my seventh fight at the O2 Arena, and it marks my first time as the main event after 18 fights.
It’s quite amusing how things have unfolded in my career. Initially, I believed that I would consider myself fortunate if I had the opportunity to box at the O2 arena even once, perhaps at the lower end of the card, competing for a Southern Area or English title as a final attempt towards the end of my professional journey. However, as fate would have it, the O2 has become the place where I have fought the most and now I find myself headlining the event.
I began my boxing journey with small hall shows, surrounded by fellow fighters who were not yet competing in the grand events held at the O2. It seemed like my path was leading me towards those smaller shows, and breaking free from that trajectory appeared to be a challenging task. I had come to terms with my current position, believing it was likely where I would remain. However, I couldn’t help but dream of the day when I would have the opportunity to participate in just one fight at that level. Little did I know that my aspirations would exceed my wildest imagination, as the magnitude of my boxing career continued to expand beyond what I ever thought possible.
However, I avoid excessive self-reflection. After a fight, I usually give myself a small acknowledgment, but I make a conscious effort to not indulge in it too deeply. It is crucial to strike a balance between recognizing one’s accomplishments in the present moment and avoiding excessive self-importance.
Frazer Clarke is now standing before me, and after my victory against David Adeleye in our previous encounter, I find myself transitioning directly into another intense rivalry. This continuous series of grudge matches is undeniably exhilarating for me.
The Adeleye build-up provided me with valuable lessons. Prior to this, I had a rivalry with Nathan Gorman that had some tension but remained respectful and low-key. However, the situation changed with Adeleye, introducing a new dynamic. This experience taught me how to handle my emotions and feelings differently. It emphasized the importance of maintaining laser focus and avoiding distractions caused by the buzz and hype surrounding such events. This lesson is particularly crucial on a stage as significant as this one, as it teaches me to stay level-headed.
I have received the schedule for fight week, and it is quite packed and chaotic. Being the main event on the card brings about various demands on you. Besides the emotional aspect of the fight itself, there are additional factors you must handle and oversee. Having experienced two previous big all-British fights in my last four, I have gained the knowledge of effectively dealing with all these challenges.
Clarke and I have fulfilled our media obligations together, but aside from that, we haven’t had much interaction. We did spar for six rounds in the past, but we didn’t socialize afterwards or engage in any other activities. We’ve also casually encountered each other a few times. However, it’s worth noting that the spar took place approximately a year ago, and it would be unwise to base my understanding of his fighting style solely on that. Anything could have changed since then.
In a spar, it’s never advisable to go all-out, and I certainly wasn’t on that particular day. There’s always an underlying understanding that one day we might actually fight for real. So, we assessed each other, tested the waters, and tried to gauge what we were up against. I’m certain he was doing the same.
I have had the privilege of collaborating with Ben Davison for a considerable duration of two to three years, and witnessing his growth has been truly extraordinary. It almost felt like a confidential revelation shared among myself, Leigh Wood, and a few other individuals about the exceptional skills possessed by Ben and his team. Therefore, it is truly gratifying to witness them receiving the recognition they deserve. Unfortunately, due to our varying schedules, I haven’t had the opportunity to engage in any sparring sessions with Anthony Joshua yet. To be fair, I am quite different from Otto Wallin or Francis Ngannou in terms of my style and approach.
Currently, the place is undeniably thriving and triumph begets triumph. It’s now my opportunity to step out and fulfill my duty on Easter Sunday.
