Premier League star reveals he was secretly a boxer as a kid as he throws support to heavyweight Fabio Wardley
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
FABIO WARDLEY has received backing from a Premier League star who revealed he was secretly a boxer as a kid.
Wardley is a huge Ipswich fan and returns to the ring on Saturday at his beloved Portman Road against Australian Justis Huni.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
Ipswich fan and heavyweight boxer Fabio Wardley
Credit: Getty
And he will have the backing of the Ipswich faithful and squad - including captain Sam Morsy - who knows a thing or two about boxing himself.
Morsy revealed: "It's going to be amazing, I can't wait to watch it and I'm buzzing for him.
"It's going to be an historic event and historic moment for him. I used to box as a kid, I had an amateur fight and won, back in the day.
"I enjoyed it, boxing as a kid every summer – six weeks' holiday and I'd be in the boxing gym.
READ MORE IN BOXING
Wardley vs Huni All the details you need ahead of huge homecoming bout
'So I really enjoyed it, I enjoy watching it and it's amazing to see Fab do his thing as part of the Ipswich family – and hopefully he wins!'
Morsy, 33, joined Ipswich in 2021 from Middlesbrough and was named captain soon after.
The midfielder helped the Tractor Boys gain back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.
But they were relegated this season along with Southampton and Leicester.
3
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Morsy has given plenty motivational speeches in the dressing room and revealed what he would tell Wardley on fight night.
He said: 'I'd say 'look, you're living your dream," Morsy revealed. "Be brave, be bold, trust yourself – you've got it. Simple."
Fabio Wardley faces off with Justis Huni ahead of his homecoming fight
Over 20,000 are expected to be at Portman Road on the weekend and Wardley added: 'The support of the club as a whole is something that's hard to put into words.
"It's not just been the odd player here or there, or the odd staff member, everyone around the club has been so supportive and invested in me, wanting this to come off in the years beforehand.
'From the players to everyone that's around the club and Mark (Ashton) himself, who has been a massive advocate and massive pusher of pulling this off… ultimately this doesn't come together without him being keen on it and him really wanting it to go ahead.
'So I could not be more thankful to him and the club as whole for their backing, their support – and ultimately just, at the crux of it, looking after one of their own.
'And I think that's the strong ethos of this club. We support and get behind our own.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ruben Amorim says Manchester United will not let players go cheaply
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim insists the club will not sell unwanted players on the cheap and he is prepared to welcome them back into the fold if necessary. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were left out of the tour of the United States – Marcus Rashford subsequently went on loan to Barcelona – and the so-called 'bomb squad' have been training at the club's Carrington complex. United's transfer dealings have been widely criticised in recent seasons and Amorim said chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox would not be taken advantage of just to get rid of those surplus to requirements. 'Some players have to find a new place to have more space in the team and others clearly show they want a new challenge and want new teams,' Amorim told a press conference ahead of the the Premier League Summer Series game against West Ham on Saturday. 'We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. If we reach a point where they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players. 'I know for a fact that these people, Omar and Jason, and the club have a number (price) for these players. If they don't reach that, they will be Manchester United players, no doubt about that. 'I understand clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute, but they can have a surprise and I'm ready. I'm ready to receive the players. 'They have more competition – if you want to play in the World Cup you need to play, so I'm really happy with that because I have more options. If they have to fight each other to play, for me it is perfect.' United have spent about £130million on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon but are still in the market for a defensive midfielder and a striker. However, previous mis-steps on transfers mean United are being more circumspect this summer. 'At the moment, our club needs to be really careful when we sign a player,' added Amorim. 'So if we have to start the season with this squad, I'm happy because all the players that are here want to be here – and that for me is the most important thing.'
Times
31 minutes ago
- Times
Newcastle target £70m Sesko but insist Alexander Isak is not for sale
Newcastle United remain adamant that Alexander Isak is not for sale, despite a breakdown in talks about a new contract and the player's desire to explore possible moves. Senior Newcastle officials are steadfast in their position and maintain that they have not received a bid for the Sweden forward, now the subject of strong interest from the Premier League champions, Liverpool. Newcastle, eager to strengthen and not weaken their squad before a return to the Champions League, are targeting the RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, although it is unclear if they will meet the £70million asking price before the Isak situation is resolved. Leipzig failed to qualify for Europe this season and are thought to be open to a sale. Newcastle have scouted the 22-year-old Slovenia player extensively, with great reports. Newcastle's players have arrived in Singapore, where they will play friendly matches against Arsenal, a K-League XI and Tottenham Hotspur, without the 25-year-old Isak, who has not travelled. Liverpool have privately insisted they will make a move for a forward who scored 27 goals last season only if they are given encouragement by Newcastle. That was certainly not forthcoming on Friday, with Newcastle digging in their heels to repeat the message, from the very top of the club, that the player is not for sale. Contract talks about improving the six-year deal Isak signed when he joined Newcastle for £63million in the summer of 2022 were always planned for this summer. Only then could Newcastle, free of the headlock of the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules, emphatically break their own pay structure, very much on the understanding that Isak deserved that special status and that a substantial pay rise would not unsettle the dressing room. So far that has not been able to tempt Isak or his agent, Vlado Lemic, to extend or improve his contract at St James' Park. The player is holding out for the £300,000-a-week wages he believes he could get at Anfield. The reason given for Isak missing the club's pre-season tour to Asia (a thigh injury) was criticised by Alan Shearer. The Swede had also returned home last weekend instead of being part of Newcastle's squad at Celtic Park and was then pictured training on his own on Monday. A scan on his thigh came back clear. Liverpool have already made one call to Newcastle to inquire about the availability of Isak and were told emphatically that the forward is not for sale. That was 11 days ago but it has so far not deterred them. Newcastle, who have missed out on João Pedro and Hugo Ekitike, faced further frustration when James Trafford, a player they have chased for 12 months and for whom they submitted a £27million bid, joined Manchester City on Friday. Eddie Howe, the Newcastle head coach, has admitted this is becoming an extremely difficult transfer window. Newcastle are also yet to return with an improved bid for the Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, having had a £25million offer turned down during the week. Their only summer recruit so far has been Anthony Elanga, signed from Nottingham Forest for £55million. Newcastle are close to announcing the appointment of David Hopkinson as chief executive and Ross Wilson as sporting director.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
West Ham tell defender Emerson he can leave
Defender Emerson Palmieri has not travelled on West Ham's pre-season tour of the United States and has been told he can leave the Hammers are competing in the Premier League Summer Series tournament where they will face Manchester United, Everton and Potter's side have signed left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague and fellow full-back Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer meaning Emerson is surplus to 30-year-old Italy left-back made 31 Premier League appearances for the Hammers last season and has been a regular since his arrival from Chelsea in played 113 times for the Hammers and was a key figure in their historic Europa Conference League victory in have told BBC Sport the Euro 2020 winner is nursing a minor back injury.
