Heavy-handed heavyweight Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KO) d[estroyed British title rival Frazer Clarke inside a round in Saudi Arabia last October](https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/24648505.fabio-wardley-beats-frazer-clarke-fight-report-reaction/), when the duo met for a hotly-anticipated rematch of their drawn first fight.
That demolition job has catapulted ex-Chantry High School pupil Wardley, 30, onto the world scene, where he is now number one contender for the WBA regular world title belt held by Kubrat Pulev (32-3, 14KO).
Fabio Wardley is unbeaten and chasing world titles _(Image: PA)_ And Wardley - who's now vacated the British title to move onwards and upwards - says he and promoter Frank Warren are hoping to get a deal done soon on 'something very big.'
Speaking on Sky Sports about when he'll return to the ring earlier today, Wardley explained: “Hopefully not long. Me and the team are working hard behind the scenes to put something together, something very big.
“Following that performance (against Clarke) now I’m number one with the WBA, I’ve been mandated to fight for a world title against Kubrat Pulev, so that’s a massive opportunity.
“It’s a massive fight and something we’re very much looking to take advantage of.
“But boxing is boxing and sometimes things don’t work out perfectly, so if that doesn’t come off I’m in a position now where I’m set to announce myself on the world stage and really push for those world titles.
Wardley is next in line to fight WBA regular champion Kubrat Pulev _(Image: PA)_ “If it’s Kubrat or other world title contenders – the likes of Jarrell Miller, Michael Hunter, Jared Anderson, those type of guys, they’re the ones I’m hunting for now.
“I believe I’m in that upper echelon and I’m ready to prove myself at that level.
“Following that (Clarke) win we’re looking for big things.”
And, if Wardley and his team have their way, those big things will happen at Portman Road, home of the unbeaten boxer's beloved Blues.
Wardley is a huge Town fan and is often seen at Portman Road cheering his team on _(Image: PA)_ "Home sweet home," said Wardley, [who first told us of his dream to fight at Town's famous old ground back in 2019](https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/21424106.i-love-fight-portman-road-one-day---ipswich-heavyweight-wardley-reveals-town-target-ahead-latest-o2-clash/) - a dream which friend and Blues' chairman Mark Ashton wants to make a reality.
"Ipswich is where I’m born and bred and the following I’ve had throughout my career from Ipswich has carried me through and done tremendously for me in some of the massive fights that I’ve had.
“So bringing it back to home grounds, home turf, is something that me, Frank Warren and the team at Queensberry have discussed at length.
“It’s something we’re very much working on to try and pull off this summer if we can – there’s a lot of juggling of pieces, a lot of bits to move around, but we’re getting closer and closer.”
Wardley wears the Town badge and colours into the ring _(Image: PA)_