Unbeaten heavyweight prospects collide when hometown hero Fabio Wardley welcomes Justis Huni to Ipswich’s Portman Road on Saturday.
A huge homecoming show for Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) has been long mooted and the 30-year-old’s stock has never been higher after his brutal rematch victory over Frazer Clarke.
Wardley and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Clarke shared a thrilling draw in March last year, with the latter recovering from a fifth-round knockdown and a seventh-round point deduction to have the better of large chunks of the contest.
But British and Commonwealth champion Wardley took all doubt out of the equation when the pair reconvened in the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol undercard last October, cleaning out his foe with a savage first-round KO.
WATCH: Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni live on DAZN
Jarrell Miller was initially slated to be the opponent for this open-air contest at the home of Ipswich Town, but the motormouth American suffered a shoulder injury.
That opened the door to Australian rising star Huni (12-0, 7 KOs), who has won his past three inside the distance.
The winner will progress towards huge paydays in a lucrative period for the heavyweight division, while defeat will herald the sort of rebuild phase that Wardley has already forced upon domestic rivals Clarke and David Adeleye.
As usual with Queensberry Promotions shows, Frank Warren has compiled a hefty undercard, including a former Olympian on debut and Wardley’s unlikely manager.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘They’ll know after’: Justis Huni’s promise ahead of hostile takeover on Fabio Wardley’s turf
Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Wardley vs. Huni card.
Pierce O’Leary vs. Liam Dillon
- Division/Weight: Super lightweight
- O’Leary record: 16-0
- Dillon record: 15-2-1
- Belts at stake: European title
Ireland’s undefeated O’Leary is in title contention for the first time. ‘Big Bang’ claimed an authoritative win over compatriot Darragh Foley in June last year before a showcase knockout of the overmatched Jose Edgardo Perdomo at Wembley Arena in December.
In the other corner for the vacant European crown is the rebounding Dillon, who is 2-0 since back-to-back defeats to Reece Bellotti and Ryan Garner in the first half of 2024. He squeaked past the previously undefeated Mace Ruegg via split decision last time out.
Nelson Hysa vs. Patrick Korte
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Hysa record: 22-0
- Korte record: 22-4-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
A late starter in boxing, the 40-year-old Hysa is another undefeated heavyweight on the Portman Road bill. Of his 22 victories, 20 have come inside the distance.
That would appear to spell trouble for Korte, who was stopped last year inside two rounds by Hughie Fury, who is hardly a noted heavyweight puncher.
Mike Perez vs. Steven Ward
- Division/Weight: Cruiserweight
- Perez record: 30-3-1
- Ward record: 15-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Irish-based Cuban Perez continues his bid for another run at 200-pound honours against popular slugger Ward.
This is effectively an Irish derby. Ward is 4-3 in his previous seven in a win-loss sequence. He claimed an emphatic TKO victory over domestic rival Tommy McCarthy last time out and won’t hesitate to trade up here.
Sam Gilley vs. Gideon Onyenani
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Gilley record: 18-1
- Onyenani record: 7-5
- Belts at stake: N/A
Gilley is on a seven-fight winning run and claimed the Commonwealth title last time out. ‘Magic Man’ dropped and stopped the dangerous Jack McGann inside four rounds at York Hall.
That belt is not on the line in this keep-busy outing over eight rounds against Onyenani, who was only in action three weeks ago when he lost to Jimmy Sains on the Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen card at London’s Copper Box.
Umar Khan vs. Moises Garcia
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Khan record: 11-0
- Garcia record: 12-13-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Former UK national amateur champion Khan, the cousin of super middleweight contender Hamzah Sheeraz, continues his professional education against journeyman Garcia.
The Nicaraguan visitor has lost four of his past five, although Khan will have to go some to add to his solitary professional knockout.
Lewis Richardson vs. Dmitri Protkunas
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Richardson record: Debut
- Protkanus record: 8-20-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Richardson was the lone medal winner for Team GB at the Paris Olympics when he claimed bronze in the 71kg category.
Almost a year on and in the week of his 28th birthday, Richardson takes on Protkunas over a scheduled six rounds. The Estonian has only been stopped once in 20 career defeats.
Dillian Whyte vs. TBA
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Whyte record: 31-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Whyte has helped to guide Wardley’s career as his manager and mentor, but the apprentice is lending a hand here by handing out an undercard slot.
After his positive doping test scuppered a 2023 rematch with Anthony Joshua during fight week, Whyte has endured a tough period since and was forced out of a planned clash with Joe Joyce in April due to a gashed finger.
Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, June 7
- Start time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST
- Main event start time (approx.): 5:30 p.m. ET | 2:20 p.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. BST | 7:30 a.m. AEST
- Location: Portman Road – Ipswich, UK
- Live Stream: DAZN
Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni will be available on DAZN worldwide.
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