On the evening of December 1, 2025, a post on X confirmed that the glorious heavyweight boxer Fabio Wardley has officially been rated as the #1 contender on the WBA rankings. This recognition comes hot on the heels of his stunning performance in Saudi Arabia, where he delivered a sensational first-round knockout against Frazer Clarke. Words can hardly do justice to the sheer dominance of that moment. Clarke, a formidable and resilient fighter, was left slumped on the ropes—a sight few could have predicted. Not many fighters have the ability to do that to someone as durable as Clarke.
Being ranked #1 now places Wardley among the elite of the heavyweight division, alongside legends and top-tier competitors like Oleksandr Usyk, Agit Kabayel, Zhang Zhilei, Lawrence Okolie, Martin Bakole, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua. Wardley's name is now firmly in the mix with the biggest names in boxing, and his rise has been nothing short of extraordinary.
In my opinion, Wardley has the tools to challenge—and even defeat—some of these top heavyweights. His ability to step on the gas at the perfect moment and unleash relentless aggression is truly admirable. That instinct to go for the finish when the opportunity presents itself sets him apart.
I'm genuinely excited to see what's next for Wardley. Will he take on one of the division's big names, or will he continue to build momentum with another highlight-reel performance? Either way, the heavyweight division just became even more exciting with Wardley in the mix. I'll be eagerly awaiting his next fight announcement.