The Fabio Wardley fairytale continues after a quite incredible victory over Justis Huni in Ipswich on Saturday night.
The 30-year-old local boy (now 19-0-1) appeared to be set for a devastating defeat through nine rounds against the classy Aussie (now 12-1) – being outworked, outpunched and ultimately outclassed.
But midway through the 10th round he produced a right hand from the heavens to knock out Huni in unbelievable fashion. Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
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This one-time white collar fighter is now the WBA interim world heavyweight champion and the new mandatory contender for the title currently held by Oleksandr Usyk.
A one-time recruitment consultant who only came into boxing at the age of 22, Wardley now stands on the verge of boxing’s absolute elite. Like we said, the fairytale continues. Just wow.
Round-by-round
This is how events unfolded at Portman Road, home of Ipswich Town Football Club:
Round 1
Wardley starts by straight away looking to claim centre ring, and bids to set up that big right hand that destroyed Frazer Clarke in their second meeting late last year. But as the sessions wears on, Huni starts to show the foot and hand speed that could cause problems. He produces a lovely body shot and hook to show Wardley he means business, but Fabio comes back to stiffen his legs with a big right hand just before the bell. Fascinating opening round.
Round 2
Quieter session here and a difficult one to score. Huni comes out to land with a lovely shot, but then is on the back foot as Wardley claims centre ring again, looking to use the left jab to set up those big right hands. Huni does not appear worried by the threat of Wardley’s explosive right hand, let’s see how long that continues.
Round 3
Terrific action with both men landing savage blows. The first two minutes are all Huni as he mixes in some spiteful body shots and rights to the head. But then Fabio fights back off the ropes in the final minute to land some cracking shots in a flurry that has the crowd roaring. Huni then is back close to the bell with another lovely right hand to finish the round. Thrilling stuff.
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Round 4
More spectacular action, with Wardley coming out throwing big bombs in a furious assault. Huni deals with it though and comes back strongly in the second half of the round. He’s the classier operator and landing the better punches. Wardley is too easy to hit and looks a little weary as the session ends.
Round 5
Another good round for Huni. He’s the man throwing the combinations and the smarter punches. Really having success to the body of Wardley with vicious hooks and straight left hands. Fabio, as you’d expect given their backgrounds, is not as polished and trying to set up that huge round which has been his saviour so often. Huni’s round almost certainly.
Round 6
Bad round for Wardley but a terrific one for Huni. He’s growing in confidence and dominates the sixth in some style. Hitting Fabio at will with left hooks and right hands. Closing the distance and not allowing the Ipswich man to line up those big bombs from distance. Fabio way too easy to hit with those low hands, and the Aussie surely is in charge on the scorecards.
Round 7
Wardley is in major trouble here with five rounds remaining. The seventh is one-way traffic with Huni again dominating proceedings. He cannot miss and Wardley is too easy to hit, virtually no defence to stop the Aussie. Fabio is in trouble multiple times during this session, and the final 45 seconds are worrying times. He ends the session looking tired, discouraged and marked under the left eye.
Round 8
More of the same in the eighth as Huni surely places another round in the bag. He hurts Wardley early with a crushing body shot, and then late in the session has him in much more trouble with a left hook and a right hand. It’s an impressive showing from the Aussie, who looks so much more savvy than his opponent. That amateur experience is telling in a big big way.
Round 9
Fabio looks completely dispirited after another round where he’s comprehensively outworked, outpunched and ultimately outclassed. He’s not throwing his punches with that normal convinction – simply because every time he does he gets hit with classy counters. Justis has all the class, all the punches and Fabio looks booked for the first defeat of his pro career unless he can land a right hand from the heavens.
Round 10
So that punch from the heavens? It just ARRIVED. After just over a minute of more Huni domination, Wardley detonates an incredible right hand as Huni comes forward and the Aussie is instantly on his back. He can’t beat the count and somehow, some way, Wardley WINS BY KO. INCREDIBLE.
Result
Wardley wins by KO R10
