Unbeaten British heavyweight standouts Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye will meet in a high-stakes conflict Saturday, Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 12-round battle of rising stars will function the chief assist contest to the historic showdown between WBC & lineal heavyweight boxing world champion Tyson Fury and lineal MMA heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou.
The premier fight sports activities occasion of the 12 months, which marks the opening of Riyadh Season – the world’s largest leisure occasion – incorporates a evening of motion delivered by boxing’s marquee division, the heavyweights.
Former WBO world champion Joseph Parker (32-3, 22 KOs), from Auckland, New Zealand, goes up towards Canada’s Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs), and bone-crunching puncher Arslanbek Makhmudov (17-0, 16 KOs), additionally residing in Canada, defends his NABF title towards Croatian veteran Agron Smakici (19-2, 17 KOs). Each fights are scheduled for 10 rounds.
And, in a particular six-round particular attraction, 18-year-old heavyweight phenomenon Moses Itauma (5-0, 3 KOs) will face an opponent to be named.
This unprecedented heavyweight spectacular is promoted by Queensberry, Prime Rank and GIMIK Combat Promotions, together with Eye Of The Tiger, promoter of Kean and Makhmudov.
Fury-Ngannou and the heavyweight undercard will likely be accessible on TNT Sports activities Field Workplace within the UK.
Ipswich’s Wardley (16-0, 15 KOs) grew to become English champion in 2021 with a first-round stoppage of Nick Webb earlier than capturing British honors with a third-round TKO of Nathan Gorman final November. He’s coming off a fourth-round TKO over Michael Coffie in April.
Adeleye (12-0, 11 KOs), from London, is the present WBO European champion, having received his maiden skilled title by defeating the beforehand unbeaten Dmytro Bezus at York Corridor in February and subsequently stopping Emir Ahmatovic in June.
The Adeleye-Wardley rivalry hit new heights on the Fury-Ngannou press convention in London earlier this month, because the fighters and their camps brawled on the crimson carpet. The melee left Wardley with cuts above his left eye and beneath his chin.
“I’ve obtained a clear invoice of well being,” Wardley stated. “Nothing has modified. I’m nonetheless feeling robust, transferring arduous, and hitting new numbers.
“I don’t know methods to quantify how my need to win by knockout has elevated after what occurred however, sure, considerably. Massively, as a result of I’m an expert individual and I prefer to act like an expert, however if you wish to go early, then that’s nice, and I’m able to go at any minute.
“When these conditions happen, all it does is gas the hearth extra. All you’ve finished is made it worse for your self. You’ve made me practice more durable, you’ve made me work for it extra, you’ve made me need it extra.”
Adeleye stated, “I’m actually trying ahead to competing on the worldwide stage within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In every single place I’m going, persons are speaking about this battle. I intend to placed on a present and show why I’m the most effective younger heavyweight on the market.”
Parker captured the WBO crown in 2016 with a factors conquer future champion Andy Ruiz Jr. in Auckland. He made two title defenses earlier than an unsuccessful unification battle towards Anthony Joshua in 2018. He received the WBO Intercontinental championship in Could 2021 with a call victory over Derek Chisora, making a profitable protection towards the Chisora seven months later.
Parker misplaced a bid for the WBO Interim world title towards Joe Joyce final September, however he has loved a profitable 2023 with wins over Jack Massey and Faiga Opelu. Kean received the WBC Worldwide Silver championship in 2019 with a defeat of former world champion Siarhei Liakhovich, making a profitable protection towards Daniel Martz the next 12 months. He has received eight straight by way of the brief route, most lately notching a seventh-round stoppage over Eric Molina in March.
Parker stated, “I’m trying ahead to being again in Saudi Arabia. It was nice the final time I used to be there to assist one other fighter and boxing occasion. This time I’m going to maintain enterprise in my very own battle towards a troublesome problem in Simon Kean. It’s unbelievable to be on this card and to be a part of this main occasion. My preparations are on level, there may be not lengthy to go now.”
Kean stated, “That is the second all fighters dream of their complete profession. That is what I’ve been working for and asking for. It’s time to ship.”
Makhmudov received the WBC Continental Americas strap in 2019, turning into the primary man to cease Jonnie Rice. He went on to win the NABF and NABO belts with a slew of wins over notable opponents, together with Pavel Bitter, Erkan Teper and Mariusz Wach. Makhmudov had a triumphant United States debut in July, obliterating Raphael Akpejiori in two rounds. Smakici challenged for the vacant European title in his final battle, however he suffered a loss to the undefeated Agit Kabayel. The Croatian’s solely different setback got here towards then-unbeaten Zhan Kossobutskiy in 2019.
Makhmudov stated, “Saudi Arabia is a really particular place for me. It’s at all times been my purpose to battle there, so I’m grateful to have this chance. I’m trying ahead to placing on an excellent present.”
