Ipswich boxing talent Fabio Wardley believes his power will be the decisive factor when he squares off with Nathan Gorman for the vacant British heavyweight title next week.
Gorman (19-1, 13 KO) is the biggest test so far for Suffolk stylist Wardley (14-0, 13 KO), who has already claimed and defended the English title in explosive fashion.
But the confident 27-year-old believes now is the time to fight for another belt - the prestigious Lonsdale strap - in a battle at Wembley Arena on Saturday, November 26, live on DAZN.
Wardley's on a streak of 13 straight stoppage wins, with KO victims including former Commonwealth Games champion Simon Vallily, noted power puncher Richard Lartey and former world title challenger Eric Molina.
In Gorman though, he faces another man tipped to be a future star of British boxing.
Wardley said of his foe: "He's quite a big step, but not absolutely massive - it's a good fight and he's more in the prime of his career perhaps compared to others I've fought.
"It's the exact right fight at the exact right time."
It's also a meeting of two men who have already shared the ring - Wardley served as a sparring partner for Gorman ahead of his July 2019 British title fight with Daniel DuBois, a fight he lost by fifth round KO, the only blemish on his record.
So could those rounds help shape Wardley's approach here? And will fighting Gorman, a man he likes and respects, be a difficult thing?
"There's nothing that I can take from that sparring really," he replied. "It was a long time ago for both of us, and we've both developed differently since then. I'm not the same fighter and he's not either.
"I wouldn't say we're friends - I don't catch up with him at the weekends or anything!
"We spent some time together and it was cool, but it's all business in there."
When business commences, Wardley is expecting Gorman to start fast.
"I think he'll step on the gas and try to get at me early," he explained. "He's got fast hands, so I think he'll bring that energy early and that's something that I'll have to deal with. I'll fight fire with fire.
"In previous fights at times I've not started at the pace that I or my team would have liked, so that's absolutely something that we've worked on."
Asked where and how he wins the fight, Wardley said: "I think I'm better than him at range.
"He likes to throw combinations in short bursts and work on the inside, but my shots are a lot quicker and more powerful.
"I believe that I'll get him out of there in the first half of the fight.
"I can see there being a few rounds where it's a bit back and forth, but once I land it's a foregone conclusion."
Another Wardley win would add to the feelgood factor around sports in the town at the moment, with Ipswich Town flying high in League One and MMA star Arnold Allen having just scored a big victory in his first UFC main event in Las Vegas.
"It does feel a bit different in Ipswich than it has done for a while," Wardley said.
"Arnie is doing really well, Town are as well - and hopefully I'm on the edge of something big. It's great for the area."
Former Town academy player Wardley will again wear the Ipswich badge and colours into the ring next week, and is becoming a fixture at home games when his training schedule allows.
He was also the star of Town's kit launch videos in the summer, making him a popular, recognisable face at Portman Road.
"It's still a bit surreal knowing that people are following me and my career, and I love going to the games," he said.
"I have a deeper connection with the team now, having had the opportunity to meet the lads and speak to them about their ambitions and how they feel about the club.
"I think this is definitely the season they go up."
Wardley's Suffolk Punch Gym will also have a second fighter on the bill next week, with middleweight Gideon Jonas (4-2) squaring off with the unbeaten Mark Dickinson (3-0) over six rounds.
- You can follow the Wardley fight live with us on the night - we'll be bringing you all the build up, action and reaction from Wembley Arena on our websites.
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