Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye were suited and booted to announce their heavyweight bout, and they ended up giving fans a bit more of a taste than expected.
The pair were in attendance on the red carpet for the opening press conference of Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou. Wardley will face Adeleye in a tasty domestic heavyweight scrap on the undercard that should be for his British title, but is, as of writing, off the table.
Wardley explained that they were still pushing for his belt to be on the line in Saudi Arabia, but that he would be making Adeleye his sixteenth knockout from 17 fights come October 28 regardless.
“It’s still TBC, it’s still a conversation we’re having. Obviously we want it on the line … If that’s not the case, the fight’s going ahead regardless. It’s still a great fight.”
“He’ll be gone within the distance most definitely.”
Adeleye paid respect to his opponent, but backed himself clearly to add a thirteen victory to his so far perfect record.
“I’m confident. I know what I’m about. I don’t take nothing away from him. He’s a big guy just like me, both undefeated. He does what he needs to do every time, but at the end of the day it’s gonna be me or him – and I choose myself.”
They had a chance to exchange words face-to-face afterwards, and things quickly descended into violence. Wardley approached Adeleye, who shoved him immediately. When the champion tried to get his own back, he fell over equipment.
Wardley was then seen with a cut by his left eye and another under his chin.
There was bad blood before, and now it’s certainly deepened. Unfortunately for fans, the injuries have the potential to put Wardley’s sparring back, making the fight being postponed a genuine possibility.