Fabio Wardley out to prove doubters wrong against Joseph Parker
Wardley can set up a shot at undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk by beating Parker in London on Saturday night
Fabio Wardley admits even winning a world title might not be enough to prove his doubters wrong.
The Ipswich heavyweight can land a clash with undisputed ruler Oleksandr Usyk by beating Joseph Parker on Saturday night. It would be another leap in an incredible journey which began in the unlicensed world of white-collar boxing. Then a 22-year-old recruitment consultant, Wardley strung together four victories before turning professional.
He is now unbeaten in 20 paid fights - but fears he may never shake off his sceptics. "For me there will always be something to prove," he said. "The initial story for me was, 'Oh he's white-collar, he's going to come unstuck at some point'. "Then it was, 'He'll step up the levels and someone will beat him', or 'He's only at English level or he's only British level, or European level'.
"I kept surpassing those expectations and the notion has shifted now to, 'He only has a big right hand or he only has knockout power, but aside from that, skillset wise, he has nothing there and he'll get found out'. "There is always a 'but' on the end of why I got the win. "I feel like there is always going to be something to prove, but I don't mind that, it's something I enjoy to be honest.
"Earlier in my career, the conversations people were having about me maybe had more of an effect. "They made me second guess myself but now I'm way more established in myself and not deterred by anything people say. I know my skill set and the levels I've got to and what I've proven to myself.
"I really felt I belonged around the British title mark, once I won that and defended it, around the Nathan Gorman and David Adeleye fights," he added. "Those were good performances and achieving the British title, which everyone knows is a prestigious and well-loved belt, you need to have a high level of quality to achieve that.
"That was an achievement I was proud of myself. I felt like I was meant to be part of this. I keep surpassing expectations then listening to the new things people have to come up with!"
Wardley secured a meeting with Parker thanks to a stunning come-from-behind stoppage of Justis Huni this summer. And he is under no illusions as to the prize waiting at the final bell. "The Usyk fight is the biggest carrot in the game for a multitude of reasons," he added.
"Not just because it's a world title shot, it would be an undisputed shot, and it's against a generational talent. There are multiple layers as to why it's such a great opportunity."