Fabio Wardley gets a stadium fight this Saturday at his beloved Ipswich Town FC, and the heavyweight takes on replacement opponent Justis Huni over a scheduled 12 rounds for the Interim WBA title at Portman Road.
Frank Warren’s Queensberry promote Wardley vs Huni and DAZN televise the card live worldwide.
Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) was due to face Jarrell Miller, but the American was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury, and Australia’s Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) has stepped in for a chance to gatecrash the division.
The Ipswich man rounded off 2023 with a dominant stoppage win against David Adeleye, but was then held to a draw by Frazer Clarke in a thriller for the British and Commonwealth titles last March.
The 30-year-old swiftly rectified that blemish on his record though, as he emphatically won an immediate rematch in October in Saudi Arabia, wiping Clarke out inside a round.
Huni holds points wins against contenders Kevin Lerena and Andrew Tabiti, and has won his last three contests inside the distance.
The 26-year-old was last seen in January, stopping Shaun Potgieter in two rounds in his homeland.
Prediction: Wardley will want to establish himself at world level this year, and he has become much more than just a brawler over the span of his career. I think he can deal with Huni professionally here, and stop the Aussie in the first half of the bout.
O’Leary faces Dillon
The undercard sees the vacant European super lightweight title up for grabs, and Pierce O’Leary looks to add that belt to his WBC International title that is also on the line against Liam Dillon.
O’Leary (16-0, 9 KOs) won his title in 2022, and has defended it four times, the last a wide points win against Darragh Foley last June.
‘Big Bang’ was last out in December 2024, ticking over with a third round stoppage of Jose Edgardo Perdomo.
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Dillon (15-2-1, 3 KOs) is a former British champion at super featherweight, and jumps up in weight to take this opportunity.
The 29-year-old took the unbeaten record of Mace Ruegg in his last assignment, winning a split decision in March over 10 rounds.
Prediction: O’Leary is an impressive talent, and he can add the European crown to his collection with a points win in this one.
Hysa clashes with Korte
In 10 rounders on the bill, Nelson Hysa (22-0, 20 KOs) should be able to defend his WBO Global heavyweight title with an early win against Patrick Korte (22-4-1, 18 KOs), who was halted in two rounds by Hughie Fury last May.
Perez meets Ward
Former world title challenger, Mike Perez (30-3-1, 21 KOs) is on a run of eight straight wins, and three straight first round wins, and the Cuban cruiserweight can halt Steven Ward (15-3, 5 KOs) early on in their meeting.
Remaining Undercard
In eight-round contests, Sam Gilley (18-1, 9 KOs) moves up to middleweight after a spell as Commonwealth champion at super welterweight, and he can bank a points win over Gideon Onyenani (7-5).
Umar Khan (11-0, 1 KO) should be a points winner again this time in his featherweight contest with Moises Garcia (12-13-1, 6 KOs).
In six rounders, 2024 Olympic Bronze medallist Lewis Richardson makes his pro debut, and he’ll likely need the distance to take his maiden win against Dmitri Protkunas (8-20-1, 1 KO).
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Super featherweight prospect, Billy Adams (6-0) can run out a points winner against Alexander Morales (6-14-5, 2 KOs).
Lillie Winch (4-0) should also be a points winner against Katerina Dvorakova (3-6, 3 KOs).
In four-round attractions, Jack Williams (2-0, 1 KO) should outscore Fernando Joaquin Valdez (1-15) at super bantamweight.
