Heavyweight contender Fabio Wardley moved a step closer to his dream fight at Portman Road after Ipswich Town submitted an application to host boxing events at the stadium.

The 30-year-old is on the verge of the world title scene after his explosive run to 18-0-1 (17), with his most recent outing ending in a chilling first round knockout of Frazer Clarke.

Wardley is the No.1 contender with the WBA and they have ordered their ‘regular’ champion Kubrat Pulev to defend that belt against the man from Suffolk next.

The undefeated puncher has also named the likes of Jared Anderson and Michael Hunter as viable next opponents, as he awaits a crack at the world titles currently held by Oleksandr Usyk (Ring, WBO, WBA, WBC) and Daniel Dubois (IBF).

And now he could get the chance of a dream outing at Portman Road, home of his beloved Ipswich Town FC, and it could even come as early as this summer.

Signs have been put up around the 30,000-capacity ground stating that Ipswich Town have sent an application to the local council requesting a license for ‘boxing and wrestling events’ for both indoors and outdoors at the venue. These would include events that run from 12pm to 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

It is understood that Wardley’s promoters, Queensberry, have already held talks about a potential Wardley fight there this summer with an announcement on his next opponent expected in the coming weeks.

But while Wardley is flying high in the rankings, No.1 with the WBA, No.3 with the WBC and WBO and No.8 with the IBF, Ipswich Town are not. They are currently third bottom of the Premier League and nine points adrift of safety with eight left to play.