He drew blood.
Fabio Wardley was left bleeding after scrapping with rival David Adeleye at a press conference ahead of Tyson Fury’s clash with Francis Ngannou.
Wardley and Adeleye are set to go toe-to-toe on the undercard of Fury’s bout with the former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.
The pair were both in attendance at the pre-fight press event in London on Thursday and it got hairy as they bumped into each other on the red carpet.
Things became heated as Adeleye, clearly agitated, repeatedly told someone on media row to “shut your mouth”.
Wardley intervened only to be shoved by Adeleye, who is a Frank Warren prospect.
A huge brawl ensued as members of both men’s teams were involved in a skirmish that left Wardley with a wound beside his left eye. It is unclear how he sustained the injury.
Footage published on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter, showed Adeleye being pulled away from the altercation and Wardley rising to his feet after being bundled to the floor. Watch the incident below.
Fabio Wardkey and David Adeleye involved in brawl at Fury vs Ngannou press conference (realRollingPin via X)
Fabio Wardkey and David Adeleye were involved in a brawl at the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou press conference
Fury was conducting an interview on the red carpet when the brawl kicked off, and the 35-year-old was quick to pass comment on the fight.
Fury said via the Sun: “It think it’s a good fight, you know?
“I think Fabio and David for the British title is a very, very good fight.
“They’re both undefeated, both young, both top-15 ranked in the world.
“And they’re young hungry lions, like we just saw. [It was all] kicking off royal.”
Fury will fight for the first time since he retained his title against Derek Chisora in front of 60,000 spectators at London Stadium last December, when he takes on Ngannou.
Coming out of retirement, that night The Gypsy King put on a dominant performance, winning by TKO in the 10th.