Fabio Wardley made sure Simon Jordan knew exactly where he sits in the heavyweight rankings during a talkSPORT interview on Wednesday.
The British heavyweight champion made a statement as he brutally KO’d Frazer Clarke in one round on Saturday night, leaving him with serious injuries which he has since undergone surgery to mend.
Wardley demolished Clarke, which was a shock after their first fight ended in a drawMark Robinson/Matchroom
In the aftermath, Ring Magazine have placed Wardley into their top ten heavyweight rankings, in ninth position.
This puts him in elite company with the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua also taking spots on the list.
Usyk currently tops the lot as champion, with Fury close behind in the number one spot ahead of their rematch on December 21. Dubois is number two following his win over AJ, who has dropped down to number seven.
Joseph Parker is number three, Zhilei Zhang is number four, Agit Kabayel is number five and Martin Bakole is number six.
Filip Hrgovic holds number eight, with Wardley in nine and Efe Ajagba rounding out the list as number ten.
Ring Magazine Heavyweight Rankings
Oleksandr Usyk
1⃣ Tyson Fury
2⃣ Daniel Dubois
3⃣ Joseph Parker
4⃣ Zhilei Zhang
5⃣ Agit Kabayel
6⃣ Martin Bakole
7⃣ Anthony Joshua
8⃣ Filip Hrgovic
9⃣ Fabio Wardley
Efe Ajagba
However, Jordan made a small error during his interview with the British heavyweight champion on Wednesday as he remarked: “Ring Magazine have put you in at number 10, haven’t they?”
Wardley quickly fired back: “Nine.”
Jordan sarcastically quipped: “Oh, sorry Fabio. Sorry mate. Inside the top ten, then.”
To which Wardley joked: “Seriously Simon it’s going to be you next if you get that wrong.”
And Jordan concluded: “There’ll be a queue of people wanting to do that anyway.”
Wardley is now targeting heavyweights at fringe world level before aiming for titlesMark Robinson/Matchroom
Regarding what is actually likely to be his next move in the boxing ring, Wardley gave a detailed answer.
“Look,” he explained, “Ultimately the decision always has done and always will do lie with me.
“I’ve always prided myself on being very much in full control of my career and not having anyone tell me how or which way I do anything. Or who I fight and when I fight them.
“I’ve also never really said no to anyone, so it’s not been an issue, but there have been certain points where we need to build through and there’s building blocks and certain things I need to tick off.
“But I think I’ve ticked off everything now.
“In terms of rounds, taking a shot, landing a shot, getting people out of there, doing all of the little boxing milestones that you need to tick off before you enter that world scene. I think I’ve done.
“So those fringe level contenders, I think I’m shoulder to shoulder with them.”