Fabio Wardley knocks out Justis Huni, video, protest, referee, reaction, next fight

Australia’s Justis Huni has been stopped by “a right hand from the Gods” after appearing set to shock the world and become only our second heavyweight champion – and while secretly carrying a serious arm injury.

OPETAIA vs SQUEO | SUN 8 JUNE 4PM AEST | Champ Opetaia defends his cruiserweight world title against undefeated Italian Claudio Squeo. | Order now on DAZN

Fox Sports Australia can also reveal Team Huni are now set to protest the result, convinced English referee John Latham failed to give the Queenslander a proper 10 count in front of 20,000 screaming UK fight fans.

Huni’s furious manager said he has already spoken with UK promoter Eddie Hearn about lodging an immediate protest with the WBA, stressing “you haven’t heard the last of this”.

All of which looks set to continue an incredible boxing drama which exploded after Huni was sensationally stopped by interim WBA heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley in the 10th round of an incredible fight.

Despite fighting inside Wardley’s hometown Ipswich soccer stadium – and carrying a secret biceps injury -- Huni boxed brilliantly through nine rounds and appeared well ahead on scorecards when he was dropped by a brutal right hand.

While he may have come into the fight as a $3 TAB outsider, Huni was putting on the fight of his life in front of a silenced stadium and appeared set for one of the greatest upsets in Australian boxing’s world title history.

Apart from taking the fight on five weeks’ notice – following the withdrawal of American Jarrell Miller -- it can now be revealed that Huni also suffered a serious left biceps injury just 10 days out from the fight.

So troubled was the undefeated heavyweight by the injury, he only started punching again less than 24 hours before the headliner.

Fabio Wardley celebrates victory. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

While the 26-year-old still walks away with a purse whispered to be around $1 million, and plenty of new fans, it will be Wardley who now positions himself for a host of big opportunities – including becoming a primary challenger to the winner of Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois in July.

However, a furious Francis said the team was set to lodge a protest, saying: “He just waved it off.

“I’m lodging a protest with the WBA.

“We haven’t heard the end of this.

“I’ve already spoken to Eddie Hearn and Spencer (Brown) and they agreed.

“It’s a f***ing world title, not some fight in the park.

“And they didn’t give Justis Huni the correct opportunity.

“Justis wasn’t wobbly when he got to his feet.

“Yes, he got hit with a good shot.

“And if he’d had enough, fair enough.

“But Justis was putting on a boxing clinic.

“They were looking for any opportunity to give this fight to Wardley.”

Referee John Latham counts down Justis Huni. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Having headed to the UK early with his team for final preparations, Huni seriously strained his left bicep 10 days out from the fight but, given the enormity of the event, decided to work through it.

His brave efforts are unsurprising given great mate and fellow Tasman Fighter Jai Opetaia – who defends his IBF and Ring titles later today – initially won his own crowns from Mairis Briedis with a jaw broken in two places.

Fighting at a heaving Portman Road Football Ground, Huni walked to the ring in a bright, white robe and matching trunks that carried a silver version of the Australian flag on his back.

Yet it was a tough start for the Australian, who was rocked, and appeared to be hurt, late in the first round as the crowd roared.

Yet from there?

It was all Huni.

With the Australian almost completely dominating the following eight rounds as he boxed smartly, showed perfect shot selection and continually disguised his biggest attacks.

Moving forward, it appeared to be the fight of Huni’s life, beating Wardley to the punch every time with a mix of speed and boxing IQ.

But then, after being almost flawless all night, Huni moved in to trade with Wardley halfway through Round 10 – a mistake that had devastating consequences.

Watching on, ringside commentators described the finish for the hometown hero like that of a Hollywood tale.

Wardley’s punishing thump that ended it was branded both “a punch from the Gods” and a “right hand from hell”.

Australia's Justis Huni is knocked down during his fight against Britain's Fabio Wardley, back, during their interim WBA heavyweight title boxing match at Portman Road Stadium, in Ipswich, England, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP) Source: AP

Official scorecards released after the fight showed that Huni was up 89-82 with two ringside judges, and 88-83 with a third.

Speaking inside the ring once the decision was announced, Huni still managed a smile and shrugged off the one error that had cost him saying “that’s my curse”.

“I even said before this fight,“ he explained, ”that it only takes one split second to switch off.

“And it happened tonight.

“Credit to Fabio and his team, I’m grateful for the opportunity.

“He’s a real champion.

“Get behind him because he’s doing good things.”

Huni was then asked if maybe over confidence had become a factor by the time of the finish?

“He’s just an awesome fighter, man,” the Australian replied.

“He never gave up.

“And he got the win tonight.

“Credit to Fabio.

“And thank you Ipswich for the opportunity to perform here. I’m grateful.”

In his own interviews, Wardley also praised the Australian’s performance.

“He’s a great boxer. Great skills,” the champ said.

“And he showed me everything he had tonight.

“He brought out all sorts of tricks and I really didn’t expect him to bank rounds like that.

“I had him hurt at the end of the first so maybe that gave me a bit too much confidence.

“But we rejigged.

“Screwed my head back on and got on with the game plan.

“I don’t profess to be an Usyk or Justis Huni, someone with all the skills.

“But one thing I do know how to do is win fights.

“Dig deep.

“Find some heart, bite down on that gum shield and find a way to win which is what I had to do tonight.”

Britain's Fabio Wardley celebrates winning his fight against Australia's Justis Huni, during their interim WBA heavyweight title boxing match at Portman Road Stadium, in Ipswich, England, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP) Source: AP

Addressing the crowd at the start of his interview, Wardley said: “Before we go anywhere, before we say anything, I want to give a huge thank you to everyone in this building tonight.

Cue raucous applause.

“I’ve been on this weird and wonderful journey that is boxing,” the champ continued, “and I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am without everyone in this arena right here.

“Every chant, everyone who bought a ticket – thank you.

“This isn’t just for me.

“It’s for all of us here.”

Wardley was also asked about Huni’s ability to bank rounds, which had the hometown favourite looking aggravated several times when he returned to the stool.

“Look, Justis Huni is a great operator,” he said

“But no matter what, I’m going to be aggravated with myself because we’d been through everything over and over again – knew the game down to a ‘t’ – and I should’ve gone better in some of those rounds.

“But that’s how it goes.

“You have to just find a way to win.”

Click here to read article