Fabio Wardley KOs Justis Huni in 10th for WBA Interim Title

Portman Road Stadium in Ipswich, England, transformed from a football pitch into a cauldron of boxing fervour as local hero Fabio Wardley faced Australia’s Justis Huni in a 12-round showdown for the interim WBA heavyweight title. The 20,000-strong crowd, braving rain-soaked conditions, roared for Wardley, a 30-year-old Ipswich native with an 18-0-1 record (17 KOs), who dreamed of headlining at his beloved Ipswich Town FC’s home. Huni, a 26-year-old Brisbane native with a 12-0 ledger (7 KOs), stepped in on four weeks’ notice after Jarrell Miller’s injury withdrawal, bringing a decorated amateur pedigree and WBO No. 1 ranking. “I’m here to make them never forget my name,” Huni vowed pre-fight. Wardley, trailing on scorecards after nine gruelling rounds, unleashed a thunderous right hand in the 10th, knocking out Huni at 1:42 to claim the title, improving to 19-0-1 (18 KOs), while Huni fell to 12-1 (7 KOs). Streamed on DAZN, the Queensberry Promotions event, dubbed “Running Towards Adversity,” marked Portman Road’s first boxing spectacle since 1946 and positioned Wardley as a contender for future clashes with Daniel Dubois or Oleksandr Usyk.

Wardley’s journey to this moment was unconventional; his raw power was honed through white-collar boxing rather than an extensive amateur career, which spanned just four fights. At 6’5” with a 78-inch reach, his aggressive, pressure-heavy style and 94% knockout ratio made him a fan favourite, as seen in his October 2024 first-round obliteration of Frazer Clarke, avenging a prior draw. Against Huni, Wardley started fast, hurting the Australian with a first-round flurry, but struggled as Huni’s technical prowess took over. Huni, a bronze medalist at the 2019 Amateur World Championships, showcased crisp footwork and a stinging left hook, landing 48% of his jabs (82 of 171) compared to Wardley’s 35% (56 of 160), per CompuBox. By the fourth round, Huni’s body shots doubled Wardley over, and the crowd’s energy waned, sensing their hero’s deficit. “I knew I was behind, but I never stop,” Wardley told DAZN post-fight. The 10th-round knockout, a single right that crumpled Huni, echoed Deontay Wilder’s one-punch devastation, as promoter Frank Warren noted: “Eat your heart out, Deontay.”

Huni’s performance was masterful until its abrupt end, his 248-pound frame moving with the finesse of his amateur days when he won gold at the 2016 Youth World Championships. Promoted under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom banner, Huni aimed to outbox Wardley, using range and combinations to chip away, landing 45 power punches to Wardley’s 32 through nine rounds. His third-round dominance, trapping Wardley on the ropes, and seventh-round ribcage assault had Portman Road’s crowd hushed. “I switched off for one second,” Huni admitted to DAZN, gracious in defeat. His short-notice acceptance, vacating his WBO No. 1 spot, earned respect, with Queensberry’s Warren praising his skill: “He showed me everything tonight.”  Huni’s prior wins, including a March 2024 decision over Kevin Lerena and a January 2025 TKO of Shaun Potgieter, underscore his potential. Still, Wardley’s power proved the equalizer, exposing Huni’s vulnerability to a single, well-timed shot.

The fight’s stakes were immense, part of a WBA-ordered tournament where the winner would face the victor of Kubrat Pulev vs. Michael Hunter for the WBA “regular” title. Wardley, ranked WBA No. 1, seized a career-defining moment, his knockout silencing doubters who questioned his technical depth after the Clarke draw. The Portman Road atmosphere, despite the rain, was electric, with 20,000 fans, including Olympic medalist Lewis Richardson, on the undercard, creating a raucous backdrop. The undercard delivered, with Pierce O’Leary’s unanimous decision (116-112, 115-113, 117-112) over Liam Dillon for the European super lightweight title and Richardson’s 60-54 points win in his pro debut. Wardley’s triumph, celebrated to Ed Sheeran’s tunes, resonated beyond the ring, as fans on X (@SkySportsBoxing) hailed it a “Hollywood moment.” “This is my home, my night,” Wardley said, per DAZN, eyeing a 2026 title shot.

Wardley’s knockout showcased his heart and power, traits honed in his 108 professional rounds, averaging 5.7 per fight, in contrast to Huni’s 65 rounds, highlighting Wardley’s experience against more formidable opposition, such as David Adeleye and Michael Polite Coffie.

The “Running Towards Adversity” card, co-promoted by Queensberry and Matchroom, delivered a historic night, with Portman Road’s pitch protected by plastic boards. Callum Simpson’s 10th-round knockout of Ivan Zucco after surviving two knockdowns rivalled the Wardley vs Huni’s drama. Wardley’s victory, improving his knockout ratio to 95%, positions him for marquee fights, with promoter Warren hinting at a rest before targeting mandatory status. Huni, despite the defeat, gained global exposure; his 12-fight pro career was still in its nascent stages. “Get behind Fabio, he’ll do great things,” Huni urged Ipswich fans. For Wardley, the night was a coronation; for Huni, a lesson in heavyweight peril. Their clash, a blend of skill and savagery, will endure as a classic of Portman Road.