Simon Vallily is ready to rebuild a career which has been a “total shambles.”
Those two words are not those of punch-lines but of the Middlesbrough heavyweight, who has vowed to put English heavyweight title rival, Fabio Wardley, to sleep.
The 34-year-old is signed up to fight the undefeated prospect for the vacant belt if and (hopefully) when boxing is given the green light to return.
Wardley-Vallily was first set for last December at the York Hall and, following the Ipswich fighter’s withdrawal, re-scheduled for April 4 at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
The 10-rounder between Dillian White’s protégé and the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist had the potential to be one of the scraps of the night on the Lewis Ritson-Miguel Vazquez undercard.
Hopefully, it will be a case of third time lucky and both seem up for it after coming together for a special ePress conference on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel.
“It’s going to be a really good fight but totally disregard my professional career to this point because to be honest with you it’s been a total shambles,” said Simon, who will ‘turn 21’ when the heavies meet, 21 pro contests that is.
“This is where it starts now and unfortunately for Fabio, this is my coming out party and not his.
“He’s not going to see the final bell. Sorry Fabio, but you’re going to sleep mate!”
A total shambles? Vallily is being a little harsh after 17 wins and a draw in 20 bouts, but he has let himself down on an occasion or two, especially in 2018.
First, he was on his way to lifting the English cruiserweight championship only to totally lose his discipline and end up drawing with Arfan Iqbal.
Later in the year, he turned up at the Metro Radio Arena over the cruiser championship weight limit and coach-less and was stopped by Craig Glover.
While career was not over, it was hanging by a loose thread.
But the Michael Marsden-managed talent (and that’s one attribute he’s certainly got) has re-invented himself as a heavyweight, reeling off stoppage wins over Jone Volau, Dorian Darch and Erik Nazaryan before a points verdict over Phil Williams in December.
Confidence is therefore high for Vallily, who has a high regard for Wardley, who has won all eight of his bouts, seven inside the distance.
“I’ve had a look at him, and you can see he’s got a bit of talent,” said the 34-year-old. “He’s tricky, he’s fresh, he’s going to come and he’s going to be fit.”
Wardley, surprisingly, is also predicting a KO for the exciting match-up.
“I’m liking that Simon is saying he’s back in a good place because that means when I get the win nobody can take anything away from me,” said the 25-year-old Ipswich fighter.
To watch the entire conference between Vallily and Wardley, conducted by Eddie Hearn, click here.
“Simon is here to put on a good show and come and test me but ultimately I’m here for the win, I’m here to take someone out.
“Unfortunately for Simon it’s his last chance but he’s going to be on the other end of that and I’m getting my hand raised and I’m moving on to bigger things”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Stockton & Billingham Life
