New British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley wants a fight near his home in Ipswich to be on the agenda in what he expects to be a “massive” 2023.
Former world champion Anthony Joshua was at ringside for the fight at the OVO Arena, Wembley.
“It’s always good to perform in front of big names,” Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk.
“I know AJ was interested in the fight because it’s a belt he’s fought for in the past as well.”
Wardley’s allegiance to Ipswich Town was evident against Gorman, with the lettering ITFC on the waistband of his shorts, and he also wore blue boots to match the team’s shirts.
And he now wants to reward the fans who traveled to London by fighting in Suffolk for the first time since beating Ferenc Zsalek in 2018.
“I’ve always had really good support. I’m from Ipswich and people do this trip, travel to London or wherever my fights are, they always engage and when they’re there, they don’t just come to watch, they make sure they’re heard, which is great,” he said.
“Ipswich struggle with medium-sized venues, there’s nothing like it, which makes it a bit tricky – but with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn, where there’s a will, there’s a way , they can always find something.
“That’s plan A for next year, to do something in Ipswich or near Ipswich so we can really build that home support and get a lot of people interested.”
Wardley suffered a damaged nose in the second round against Gorman, but grounded his opponent in the next, forcing the referee to intervene.
“It’s not broken. It was just a cut on the bridge of the nose. No serious or permanent damage, so it’s fine,” he said.
“But we boxers are not the most sane, so the sight of my own blood did something, it spurred me on and gave me an extra boost, extra gear.
“We’re just a few (missing) marbles or (loose) screws, but I really thrive on those moments when you’re leaning against the wall, everything isn’t going your way and you have to pull yourself out of a hole and move on from the other side, it’s such an unreal feeling.”
Wardley let out a “big old roar” of emotion when the fight was stopped and he won the belt vacated by former Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce this summer.
“It carries a lot of tradition, it’s a very prestigious belt. A lot of British boxing greats have grabbed it at some point in their careers,” he added.
“It was a big moment for me, a big moment for my team and just a big moment for my career too, it pushes me (forward) for a huge 2023 and some big fights next year.”
