Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni Confirmed for June 7th

Ipswich, UK - Portman Road in Ipswich was already set to host a landmark event in British boxing on June 7, with local hero Fabio Wardley headlining in front of a home crowd. Originally slated to face Jarrell Miller for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title, the bout now takes a dramatic turn as undefeated Australian Justis Huni steps in to replace the injured American.

Miller’s withdrawal, confirmed by Queensberry Promotions on Wednesday, came due to a shoulder injury sustained in training camp. The brash Brooklyn fighter had already stirred headlines after a fiery press conference that ended with him making contact with Wardley’s face. But the tension and build-up toward that fight are now shelved, and a very different type of matchup has emerged.

Justis Huni, 12-0 (7 KOs), brings a completely contrasting style to the table. At 6'4" and 241.5 lbs, he matches Wardley’s dimensions and weight almost identically, but the Australian is a refined boxer-puncher with a deep amateur pedigree. A bronze medalist at the 2019 Amateur World Championships, Huni is ranked ninth by the WBA and has been sharpening his pro style with a string of stoppage victories.

His last three wins have all come inside two rounds, including a January TKO of Shaun Potgieter. Known for his quick hands and crisp combinations, Huni is especially effective with his left hook, often delivering it seamlessly to both body and head. Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking from New York, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Justis. I really think that is a fight where you will see the best of him. I’m really excited about his future.”

Fabio Wardley, 18-0-1 (17 KOs), won’t be fazed. The Suffolk puncher rose from the white-collar boxing scene and has proven doubters wrong at every level, including a sensational first-round knockout of Frazer Clarke last October. That win cemented his place in the world rankings and showed the boxing world that Wardley’s power is more than just a storybook rise—it’s a legitimate threat.

While Miller’s mass and aggression would have presented a brawl, Huni offers a more cerebral contest—a challenge of timing, rhythm, and ring IQ. Wardley will need to adapt from preparing for a charging 300-pounder to now facing a smooth, athletic boxer with an amateur foundation and well-honed discipline.

Still, Wardley’s relentless aggression and explosive finishing ability remain a serious danger to Huni, who has yet to face an opponent of this caliber. Though lighter on hype than the originally billed main event, this matchup arguably presents a better technical fight—a clash of style versus will.

The vacant WBA interim belt remains at stake, and with the landscape of the heavyweight division still shifting, the winner of this fight could position themselves for a future clash with the likes of Daniel Dubois, Kubrat Pulev, or even Oleksandr Usyk, depending on how events unfold.

June 7 at Portman Road is no longer just a homecoming for Fabio Wardley. It’s a proving ground for both men—one looking to protect an unbeaten rise, the other chasing international validation. Either way, a fresh chapter in the heavyweight division begins under the lights in Ipswich.