Wardley set to challenge Pulev for WBA title

British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley is set to fight for the WBA regular title against veteran champion Kubrat Pulev.

Wardley is unbeaten in 19 pro contests and stopped Olympic medallist Frazer Clarke in the first round in Riyadh last October.

He is the WBA’s number one contender – Oleksandyr Usyk is recognised as their ‘super champion’ while 43-year-old Pulev holds the ‘regular’ belt after winning a unanimous points decision against Mahmoud Charr in December.

The Bulgarian has been a pro since 2009 but his 32-3 record includes defeats by Britons Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora.

He was knocked out in the ninth round by Joshua in December 2020, having lost to Vladimir Klitchsko six years earlier in a previous world title challenge.

The WBA say the mandatory defence period for a fight against Wardley will begin on 5 March and end on 4 April.

The winner must then defend against American Michael Hunter, who has won 24 of his professional bouts, before 25 October of this year.

Wardley, from Ipswich, signed a multi-fight deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions in September with a view to moving into the world title picture.

His win over Clarke after their first fight ended in a draw resulted in his opponent needing surgery on his jaw and cheekbone.

Wardley hopes to one day fight at Portman Road, the home ground of Premier League club Ipswich Town.

“It’s still the dream and it’s on the cards,” Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk in October.

“If anything it’s closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he’s done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

“When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this.”