Fabio Wardley's homecoming ended in a spectacular knockout of Justis Huni in front of a delirious crowd at Portman Road on Saturday night.
The Ipswich native looked destined for a first professional defeat at the home of recently relegated Premier League club Ipswich Town, but it was Huni who suffered a devastating drop.
The Australian was comfortably up on the cards after boxing masterfully but was flattened by a ferocious overhand right from Wardley in round 10. Few but Wardley himself, who raised his arms out wide like a man blessed by the divine, could believe what had happened.
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FABIO WARDLEY KNOCKS JUSTIS HUNI OUT!! 😱🤯#WardleyHuni | Live Now on DAZN pic.twitter.com/57HyKhYNaI
Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) has taken a circuitous route to the professional circuit and his white-collar boxing history became a bigger talking point as the fight progressed. A passionate crowd of close to 20,000 spectators was increasingly subdued as Wardley was picked apart through nine of the best rounds Huni has produced.
Having only accepted the fight five weeks ago after Jarrell Miller's withdrawal due to injury, Huni wore down Wardley's rudimentary defences while keeping the home favourite's explosive potential at bay. By the time the bell signalled the 10th, it was clear that, barring a lapse in concentration, the contest — and the interim WBA heavyweight title — was within his grasp.
"That's my curse," Huni said afterwards. "It only takes a split second."
Huni perhaps feared this was coming, but even someone who had watched all 17 of Wardley's previous knockouts would have considered it a long shot after he was schooled for the best part of nine rounds. In the end, it was perhaps Huni's attempt to finish the contest that proved his undoing: a missed right hand left him standing square to Wardley, who hammered a right flush onto the Brisbane man's chin. Huni clambered to his feet long after the referee waved off the contest.
And so continues this most unusual but endearing of pro careers. A real title shot beckons for Wardley, who has taken the concept of learning on the job to a whole new level.
WATCH: Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni live on DAZN
Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni full card results
- Fabio Wardley def . Justis Huni (KO 10/12) to win the vacant interim WBA heavyweight title
- Pierce O'Leary def . Liam Dillon (UD 12) to win the vacant European super lightweight title
- Lewis Richardson def. Dmitri Protkunas (PTS 6); Middleweights
- Nelson Hysa def. Patrick Korte (TKO 2/10); Heavyweights
- Mike Perez def. Steven Ward (TKO 9/10); Cruiserweights
- Sam Gilley draw. Gideon Onyenani (PTS 8); Middleweights
- Umar Khan def. Moises Garcia (PTS 8); Featherweights
Where to watch Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni
- Live Stream: DAZN
Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni is available on DAZN worldwide.
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