Wardley, however, insists he will not rush into a decision and indicated he could vacate the Lonsdale Belt if the right opportunity comes up elsewhere.

“I’m still undefeated, I’ve still got all my belts, I’m still in prime position in terms of governing bodies and rankings, so there are still options for me on the table,” he added.

If a rematch is set, big Ipswich Town fan Wardley is keen for it to take place at Portman Road, the Tractor Boys’ home ground.

“It’s definitely a possibility – dates are the biggest problem, but it’s an option we are looking at,” said Wardley, who has been the British champion since November 2022.

The initial bout was the first time Wardley had been taken to the scorecards since his professional debut five years ago, having amassed 16 successive stoppage wins since then.

The 29-year-old scored the fight’s only knockdown but fought most of the bout with a bad cut on his nose.

“There are massive amounts to learn from that – it was the first time I’ve had a massive cut like that, the first time I’d gone 12 rounds,” Wardley added.

“Knowing I’ve done it and I can do it going forward, having that faith and that self-belief – I still had a lot in the tank, so it gives you good confidence if I have to go through all that again.”