Fabio Wardley vs Jarrell Miller should be a heavyweight boxing beauty on Saturday June 7 and the two big men did a lovely job of selling their upcoming showdown on Monday.
The pair came face to face for the first time at the home of Ipswich Town Football Club, and it’s fair to say their beef promises much potential for a cracking scrap in a few weeks’ time.
For the 18-1-0 Wardley this is a dream come true – the Tractor Boys fanatic gets to fight at the stadium he calls home. For the 26-1-2 Miller, who rocked up here wearing a Norwich City shirt (deadly rivals of Ipswich), it’s a big chance to crash the party.
The two men had to be pulled apart during the face-off at an acrimonious presser, and afterwards the 30-year-old Wardley said he cannot wait to silence the trash-talking Miller come fight night (the bout will be streamed globally by DAZN).
Dream come true for Wardley
“It is my hometown, I am a born and bred Ipswich boy, it is my home club, and nothing is being taken from me here,” he said.
“This is hallowed turf; this is where I’m strongest. There is an extra fight and extra fire in me when I step on that turf. When there is a ring on top of that pitch there is more in me, more determination, more work, more output. I become undeniable when you put me on that pitch. It is a hard night’s work in front of me, but it is a job I can conquer.
“He said he did his research or homework, but clearly not. The last opponent that came here in a Norwich shirt… Clearly, he hasn’t done his homework on what happened to that person because it didn’t end well for them.
“They call you Big Baby because you don’t shut up, you need a pacifier in your mouth. I picked you. I looked at the list and picked your name. I said who is the big guy who thinks he is the big I am in the division? Big Baby, let’s pick that one, let’s teach him a lesson.”
‘Big Baby’ presents a big test
Miller will represent a significant step up in class for Wardley – his last two fights have seen ‘Big Baby’ give IBF heavyweight king Daniel Dubois a real test before finally submitting in Round 10 and then fighting to a draw with former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr.
The 36-year-old US star said: “Ipswich? I’ve been doing my homework and I’m gonna support the other side (Norwich City shirt). That being said, Norwich whooped your ass last time and I’m gonna whoop your ass. I know Frank is a good salesman and has put the battery in his back, but he is getting F****d up.
“There is a reason I have been avoided for many years. I had one slip up with Dubois and I had three weeks’ notice for that but, like I said before, I’m a killer. No matter where I go, real warriors travel anywhere. I’ve been in people’s backyards before whooping ass.
“We are cut from different cloth. I was being respectful then he made a diss song, Big Baby Killer. Where I come from this is a death threat. I am running you down, I am coming to your face. He can do all that nonsense, I’m gonna f*** you up, plain and simple.
“Let me say this man, I don’t mind doing the gimmicks and the fun stuff, but I don’t play, I don’t play this sport. I’ve come from every fighting background you can think of. This is what I do. I was bred for this. You’ve never been in the ring with somebody like me. David Adeleye? Good win. You’ve got draw with that punk, what’s his name? Clarke. I ain’t them. Google my name, Big Baby, there is a reason why they call me that. I make people cry. Come Saturday night here, I’m gonna make you cry man.”
