Fabio Wardley had a big contingent of Ipswich fans behind him as he took his fledgeling pro career record to 3-0 – but had special words of appreciation for two stalwarts of the Norwich boxing scene.

Norwich Evening News: The end beckons for Scott Saward as Fabio Wardley pounces. Picture: Jerry Daws/Stillfocusedmedia.co.ukThe end beckons for Scott Saward as Fabio Wardley pounces. Picture: Jerry Daws/Stillfocusedmedia.co.uk (Image: �stilfocusedmedia)

Wardley scored a fine first round knockout over Scott Saward on Saturday at the Epic Studios having spent part of his training camp working alongside some of the heavyweight division's top talent – Sexton, Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora.

The 22-year-old knows he has a lot of education to complete, but is happy to learn from the best.

'I think the heavyweight division is in the best form it has been in for some years now, from my level up to people like Joshua, Whyte and Sam Sexton, who has helped me so much sparring in Norwich,' he said.

'The whole spectrum is really good so there are a lot of options for us to look at and a lot of tasty fights as well which we can go for.'

Norwich Evening News: Fabio Wardley watches as Scott Saward. struggles to get to his feet. Picture: Jerry Daws/Stillfocusedmedia.co.ukFabio Wardley watches as Scott Saward. struggles to get to his feet. Picture: Jerry Daws/Stillfocusedmedia.co.uk (Image: �stilfocusedmedia)

'It's great to go and spar and then they call you again so they like what you are about - both Dillian and Dereck wanted me back so it was fantastic - it is just nice to know those people at that level respect what I am about and think I am good enough to be in there with them.

'Especially so with Sam. Me and him have been sparring a lot. It is good to have him around 24/7 as well. I come up to the gym with the Norwich boys a lot and I have a lot of sparring with Sam and I can't thank him enough for the help. He helped me before I even had a name so it is really, really appreciated what him and (trainer) Graham Everett do for me.'

Wardley's second outing as a pro ended as he backed the 6ft 8in Saward, who weighed in almost four stones heavier, into his own corner, found the space and then landed a booming right which felled the man from Kent, who banged his fists on the canvas in frustration as his legs failed to hoist him up again.

The target now is a Southern area title challenge, perhaps at the back end of next year.

He said: 'This was a big jump and I am not trying to take massive leaps and bounds every fight. I am still new to the business and still learning my trade.'