David Adeleye refutes Fabio Wardley’s claims he was ‘jittery’ ahead of fight on Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou undercard

The duo appeared at the red carpet event in London ahead of their fight on the undercard for the huge clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a scuffle breaking out between both fighters’ camps.

On Tuesday, the pair met for the first time since the incident in a frosty press conference that saw the WBO European heavyweight champion admit that Wardley does not scare him.

“I don’t get nervous, I don’t know what it is,” Adeleye said when asked about accusations that he was jittery.

“It’s hard to explain but nerves ain’t really a thing for me. Everyone feels a certain way, but I don’t get nervous. And someone like Fabio Wardley could never bring out those sort of nerves in me. I mean, what does he do for me to be nervous?”

“I’m getting paid to beat him up – it’s easy money,” the 26-year-old added.

But, Wardley, who boasts a 16-0-0 record, reinforced his claim that Adeleye seemed jittery at their previous meeting.

“I don’t know that I particularly learned anything,” he said when asked on whether he had taken anything away from their previous meeting in London.

“There was nothing that I hadn’t seen already in other situations and circumstances that he was a bit jittery, when the cameras are on, when it’s a big stage and it’s a big event.

“People’s personalities show through. And [there was a] nervous demeanour, jittery, on edge, twitchy.

“But they were already things we’d seen, It wasn’t particularly nothing new. I’d already seen it. It was funny to see it up close.”

Incensed by the claims, Adeleye responded: “When did I seem jittery?”

Wardley replied: “You seemed from the second [you saw me]… all I did was turn and look at you and you jittered.”

“No, no, no – is that what you call jittery? I call it being on point. That’s all,” Adeleye added.

Speaking on the alleged push from Adeleye during their first meeting, Wardley added: “If you weren’t jittery what’s the need? I’ve had big men walk towards that I’ve had issues with walk towards me? And I’ve been an adult and have been able to have a conversation with them without pushing them. I don’t get nervous, I’m cool.”

After exchanging some fierce words during the conference, Adeleye’s promoter Frank Warren said he felt that things were gearing up for a very “special” fight between the two British heavyweights, and claimed that once punches start being thrown, things will certainly get exciting.

“This is what it is all about isn’t it,” Warren said.

“Undefeated heavyweights. Two rising stars of boxing. It’s a massive event that will be broadcast all over the world.

“So the winner or whoever wins this fight is going to establish themselves around the world, not just the British and commonwealth, but this is huge.

“This is a huge opportunity and you can feel the buzz about the event and this fight. It’s going to be special.

“Somebody’s 0 will go and I think it will be really entertaining,” he added.

Warren also spoke on the previous altercation between the pair, claiming that he hopes the incident was both behind the fighters by now.

“We had that unfortunate incident last week and I hope that’s been dealt with and I hope we can put that behind us at the moment and focus on the fight.

“But this fight, make no doubt about it, will be exciting – there’s a buzz about it and you can feel it from the guys as well.

“They’re big men, and once they start letting those bombs go, bombs away, it’s going to be exciting.”