The best Simon Vallily beats the best Fabio Wardley.
So says Simon Vallily and while, of course, he would say that we’re about to get the answer.
The VW battle for the vacant English heavyweight championship is one of the chief support acts for Sam Eggington v Ted Cheeseman on Saturday’s opening instalment of Matchroom Fight Camp.
Eddie Hearn has assembled a quality line up in Matchroom’s back garden in Essex where the action will be shown live on Sky Sports.
And Vallily-Wardley is as fascinating a clash as there is on the card.
Wardley, from Ipswich, has clocked up eight straight career victories, all but one coming inside the distance, while Vallily is on a run of four straight stoppage wins since moving up to heavyweight.
Previous to that he had blown two opportunities in his previous boxing life as a cruiser, drawing with Arfan Iqbal for the English title having thrown away a decisive lead before being stopped later in the year in the same Utilita Arena by Craig Glover, having come in over the weight.
There are, of course, no limits at heavyweight, nor any limits on what Vallily can do now he says he is fully focused.
“It’s a great chance and a great opportunity,” said the Middlesbrough man.
”I’m in great shape for it. I’ve applied myself properly. I’m focused and I’ve trained hard.
“I’ve trained properly and I’ve done it all right. Fabio possess some talent, I’m not going to sit here and say he doesn’t. He’s fast and he’s athletic but the best Simon Vallily beats the best Fabio Wardley.”
The 34-year-old former Commonwealth Games gold medalist has experience on his side against the fighter nine years his junior, who never boxed in the amateurs.
Wardley is certainly a man on the up and not only because he is managed by Dillian White.
But Vallily says there is still life left in him and his career.
“We haven’t seen the best Simon Vallily,” he insisted. “I’m sick of going on about it. I think he might be expecting the Simon Vallily from the Craig Glover fight.
“He’s managed by Dillian Whyte? Wow. I haven’t lost no sleep over him.”
Wardley brought a giggle to their media conference by taking the Mick out of Vallily’s moustache by donning a fake ‘tache.
“I don’t think he’s man enough to grow a real moustache is he?” was Simon’s retort. “It doesn’t suit him.”
Wardley says he is deadly serious about making this the night he makes it on the big stage.
“It’s the big test,” he said. “Like everyone has been saying, it’s the coming out party, the announcement, the real test to get rid of some of those question marks people have about me.
“Hopefully on Saturday night I get the best Simon Vallily. Hopefully I’ll then get the credit for taking on a real competitor and getting the win.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
