FABIO Wardley takes another little tip-toe towards world class on Saturday evening when he fights Justis Huni in an Ipswich homecoming. The Portman Road setting is perfect. Designed to create a raucous atmosphere in support of a fighting everyman who skipped from the world of white collar to the pro game, knocking over every barrier placed in front of him.
Australia’s unbeaten Huni is a sizeable next barrier. Stepping in for Jarrell Miller, Huni will have plans of his own to ascend to the top and walk away from East Anglia with the WBA Interim heavyweight title around his waist. A strong supporting cast joins the heavy hitters for an evening of fun and frolics. Let’s see who is on the undercard.
Pierce O’Leary vs. Liam Dillon
Dublin’s ‘Big Bang’ is a powerful prospect who has made his way to European title contention. The vacant EBU belt is on the line here. O’Leary is a hot favourite to take it back across the Irish Sea. Dillon, 29, is a tough competitor who has scored upset wins and held the British title. That was down at super-featherweight. Now he’s up at 140 against a strong, stocky super-lightweight. This could be the first time Dillon gets stopped.
Mike Perez vs. Steven Ward
A battle of Ireland between a Cuban who made his home in Cork and a Belfast boxer from Monkstown who just can’t bring himself to hang up the gloves. Peak for peak, Perez is a level above. However, since pushing Mairis Briedis hard in 2017, he has been blighted by inactivity, poor opposition and personal issues.
Perez’s win over Magomed Abdusalamov back in 2013 came at a heavy physical cost for the loser and a heavy mental cost for Perez when Abdusalamov ended up with brain damage. This is Mike’s last run to the top. Ward was last seen toppling old sparring partner Tommy McCarthy in the SSE Arena to reignite his career and land this shot.
Nelson Hysa vs. Patrick Korte
Well-supported Albanian Hysa is one of the anomalies in boxing who could be absolutely anything. The 40-year-old holds a 22-0 slate with 20 knockouts. Some of those victims were statistically decent. Closer inspection shows a lot of fluff in their records before Hysa had his way.
Germany’s Korte has shared a ring with Hughie Fury and Demsey McKean, although anyone decent has beaten him via stoppage. Hysa is being touted as a possible future foe for Moses Itauma if he carries on winning well.
Sam Gilley vs. Gideon Onyenani
Gilley was supposed to box Louis Greene in a rematch of their 2023 effort at 154 that saw Gilley walk away with the Commonwealth strap. That was scuppered and the ‘Magic Man’ instead gets an eight-round run out with durable Onyenani, last seen going the 10-round distance with heavy-handed Jimmy Sains.
Best of the Rest
Olympic bronze medallist Lewis Richardson makes his professional debut over six rounds against Dmitri Protkunas. Given Delicious Orie’s one-and-done approach to the pro ranks, it’ll be interesting to see how Richardson fares as he treads the same path at a lower weight.
Umar Khan, 11-0, takes on Moises Garcia over eight rounds at featherweight. Billy Adams, 6-0, could be one to watch. The Dagenham boxer meets Alexander Morales. Lillie Winch, Jack Williams, and the returning Dillian Whyte all feature.
