EDDIE Hearn, promoter of Australian heavyweight Justis Huni, has boldly likened Huni’s upcoming clash with Fabio Wardley on June 7 to one of the greatest upsets in modern boxing history. The comparison? Anthony Joshua’s shocking defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019.
When Wardley and Huni square off at Ipswich Town FC’s Portman Road stadium, it will mark nearly six years since Joshua’s ill-fated American debut at Madison Square Garden. On June 1, 2019, Joshua was set to face Jarrell Miller, but Miller’s positive test for a banned substance forced him out. Ruiz stepped in as a late replacement, and in a seven-round firefight, the Californian stunned the boxing world, stopping Joshua to claim the IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles. Though Ruiz lost the rematch six months later, the upset remains a benchmark for seismic shocks in the sport.
Speaking at a press conference in Ipswich to launch Wardley-Huni, Hearn, who once promoted Wardley but now faces off against rival promoter Frank Warren, drew striking parallels between the two bouts. “The similarities are so similar. We were fighting Jarrell Miller and about four weeks before he pulled out of the fight and we were so confident. And like Frank [Warren] we wanted to deliver a great fight for the fans and the broadcaster and we probably chose the wrong style and we probably chose the wrong fight and this is a carbon copy of that, I really believe that.”
The Matchroom chairman admitted the fight carries a bittersweet edge.
“I’m happy and sad. I’m happy that Justis is going to get his chance to announce himself on the world stage but just a little bit sad for Fabio because I thought he’d beat Jarrell Miller and I was quite looking forward to seeing it. Now we’ve gotta go and ruin everything, the dream, the fairytale and it’s a tough one because he’s a lovely fella. The pressure’s massive on Fabio Wardley. Two world-class fighters and the first time they’ve fought at world level. Two undefeated heavyweights and this man [Huni] is a serious fighter.”
The press conference saw Hearn in playful yet pointed form, trading barbs with Warren’s camp in good humour – a reflection of their newfound working relationship. Yet beneath the banter lies Hearn’s unwavering belief that Wardley’s team made a grave error in offering Huni the fight.
“He’s being underestimated in this fight. We couldn’t believe it when we got the call, could not believe it. They’ve got a real fight on June 7. When I’m driving home that night, don’t get me wrong we’ll be over the moon and there’ll be a new superstar of Australian boxing but a small part of me will feel that sadness down the A12 because it should’ve been his night but that’s just how boxing plays out.”
