Fabio Wardley produced a dramatic 11th-round knockout against Justis Huni in Ipswich, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in front of his hometown crowd.
The 30-year-old British heavyweight was trailing on all scorecards when he unleashed a devastating right hand that turned the contest on its head. Up until that moment, the Australian boxer had been in control, landing more punches throughout the first ten rounds.
"I don't profess to be any kind of Usyk or Justis Huni - someone with all the skills," Wardley admitted afterward. "But one thing I do know is how to win fights, dig deep, find a bit of heart, bite down on the gumshield, find a way to win."
Huni, 26, had stepped in as a replacement on just five weeks' notice after American Jarrell Miller withdrew due to injury. The Australian's technical skills were on full display as he methodically built a lead heading into the championship rounds.
Interestingly, despite the crushing defeat, Huni's sportsmanship in the aftermath earned him widespread praise. Backstage footage captured by Matchroom Boxing showed the defeated heavyweight embracing family members with remarkable composure.
"S*** happens, you know. I will come back, just bounce back," Huni told his team. "We just keep our head up and bounce back. It is what it is. Head up team, head up. We bounce back, it's boxing."
The victory keeps Wardley's unbeaten record intact and earned him the WBA interim heavyweight title. It represents another remarkable chapter for the former recruitment consultant who began his boxing journey in white-collar events.
Fans quickly took to social media to commend Huni's gracious reaction to defeat. "Class act this chap, very respectful throughout," wrote one supporter, while another added: "Gained a lot of supporters - not just by the way he boxed, but also the way he conducted himself afterward."
For Wardley, it wasn't the most technically brilliant performance, but it demonstrated his resilience and punching power. Could this dramatic victory position him for bigger opportunities in the heavyweight division?
