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Wardley vs Huni - The England/Australia clash that is dominating the summer in an Ashes year
Unbeaten punchers, especially at heavyweight, have long piqued the interest of boxing fans, both hardcore and casual.
Although many end up false hopes, despite those closest to them dreaming of occupying lofty positions someday, rare breakthroughs do emerge.
For every Travis Walker or Dominick Guinn, hyped contenders who eventually found their ceiling, there will be a Mike Tyson or Deontay Wilder, but monitoring their progress, praying that heavyweight division will unearth another superstar, is often a task that ends with disappointment rather than fulfilment.
This weekend, at the home of Ipswich Town , Fabio Wardley and Justis Huni, both armed with the highest aspirations a fighter can possess, will do battle with the winner likely to push on and perhaps become a regular fixture in the heavyweight division's upper echelon.
For Wardley, this journey has been an incredible one, a unique tale that does not bare the typical hallmarks of a blue-chip heavyweight prospect.
No extensive amateur career, no Olympic gold medal, no promoters forcing contacts into his face declaring their undying love so they can be the person responsible for guiding the next great hope or hype.
This unfamiliar rise is unlike anything else in the heavyweight division.
An office worker and weekend footballer, Wardley entered the world of white-collar boxing where he would test his boxing skills against inexperienced opponents used to breaking up fights outside city centre bars on Saturday nights.
From there, a seed was planted. After some constant watering, Wardley would soon turn professional often appearing on Dillian Whyte undercards after assembling a special bond with the former world title challenger.
From there, the ascension has been nothing breathtaking. Titles at various levels have arrived, numerous prospects have been disposed of, and many vicious knockouts have been served. Will Huni be next?
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
The Australian superstar , something of a big deal in his own country, a nation still patiently waiting to make a major impact on the heavyweight scene , has ticked plenty of boxes since turning professional in 2020.
With plenty of regional success as an amateur, Huni featured on the global stage on a few occasions when sporting Australia’s vest with the 2019 World Championships providing him with plenty of experience and exposure.
Rapid changes coming in heavyweight landscape
Turning professional the following year, Huni was kept busy in the midst of a global pandemic. He built his ledger early with a stoppage over Paul Gallen, an unbeaten contender, the standout result.
Huni quickly grabbed the attention of international promoters, and it was Eddie Hearn who presented the best case, and he soon had Huni receiving wider exposure thanks to win over Andrew Tabiti in Mexico.
As it stands, Huni is 12-0 with seven wins coming early, and there is a growing expectation in his homeland that he will defeat Wardley on away soil and become the man to kickstart Australia’s heavyweight revolution.
Mick Francis, a notable promotional figure in Australia, already has plans to stage Huni against Jai Opetaia , who is also in action this weekend, in a stadium showdown a few years from now. Beating Wardley will go a long way to making that grand showcase fight a reality.
We are almost ready. The heavyweight landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation and the desire for new stars is there to see. Tyson Fury has retired, Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk are not far behind him, and several other business end hopefuls are knocking down the door of middle age.
Wardley and Huni both want that spot. The stage is set for them to deliver a classic and demonstrate their abilities, and only one can hog the spotlight for the foreseeable future.
It is Wardley vs Huni. Warren vs Hearn. England vs Australia just a few months before The Ashes gets underway. Which heavyweight is the real hope? The answer is fast approaching.
Watch Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni on DAZN with a discounted special offer subscription price. More information here
