Suffolk boxing superstar Fabio Wardley has revealed a sensational long-term vision to acquire a financial stake in his beloved Ipswich Town, as he prepares for his blockbuster WBO world heavyweight title rematch against Daniel Dubois at London’s O2 Arena.
The 31-year-old Ipswich native (20-1-1, 19 KOs), who famously wears the Blues’ badge and claret-and-blue trim into the ring, is aiming to avenge his May defeat to Dubois in a high-stakes, heavy-hitting collision this Saturday night.
Speaking exclusively ahead of the fight, Wardley admitted that following in the footsteps of pop superstar Ed Sheeran, NBA icon Udonis Haslem, and ex-NFL star Marques Colston by becoming a celebrity investor at Portman Road is his ultimate career ambition.
”A Real Permanent Attachment”: Wardley Eyeball Portman Road Stake
Wardley has long been a dedicated ambassador for Ipswich Town, working extensively alongside the Ipswich Town Foundation and CEO Mark Ashton to engage local youth and boost the club’s profile.
However, the heavyweight contender wants to take his devotion a step further by transitioning from fan and community figurehead to official club owner:
“I’ve tried to give back to Ipswich, the community, the town, in my own way, whichever way I can. The financials aren’t there yet. I’m not any sort of stakeholder or anything.”
“But look, that is another part of the dream. Because to really have a real permanent, strong attachment into the club like that would be something I’d absolutely have. So yeah, a few more O2 Arena sell-outs, maybe I need a big Wembley fight or something like that. And then I can give Mark (Ashton) a call and do something there.”
Knockout Guarantee: Wardley Promises War in Dubois Rematch
Before any boardroom calls with Mark Ashton can happen, Wardley must navigate a perilous 12-round war with WBO world champion Daniel Dubois.
In their initial May encounter, Wardley floored Dubois in both the first and third rounds before suffering an 11th-round stoppage amidst heavy facial swelling and eye trauma. Heading into Saturday’s clash, both heavyweights are predicting a dramatic early finish.
Confident that he possesses the raw power to put Dubois away, Wardley insisted he won’t be playing for points:
“The plan and objective is always to get him out of there as quickly and as soon as possible. And if anyone out of the two of us has the more evidence of that, it is me. The knockdown in the first and knockdown in the third. If I capitalised on those moments, I would have already done that.”
“I’m not trying to hang around in there and get punched in the head for any longer than I need to. But look, if it doesn’t go like that, then I’m going to be in there swinging it out until the final bell.”
From Ring Royalty to Football Ownership
A victory over Dubois on Saturday night would not only elevate Wardley to top-tier world champion status but also unlock the massive paydays needed to turn his Ipswich Town ownership dream into reality.
With the Town fanbase rallied squarely behind their local fighter, a world title win at the O2 Arena could mark the first major step toward seeing Fabio Wardley’s name etched into the Portman Road boardroom.
