Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni | DAZN - 7 June 2025

[Ruthless-RKO]

Justis Huni, Michael Hunter and Filip Hrgovic in running to face Fabio Wardley after Jarrell Miller

Jarrell Miller has officially withdrawn from his contest with fellow heavyweight contender Fabio Wardley on June 7, citing a shoulder injury. BS has learned that Justis Huni, Filip Hrgovic and Michael Hunter are in the running to replace him – with Huni leading the way.

The bout was to be for the WBA’s vacant interim heavyweight title at Ipswich Town Football Club’s Portman Road Stadium in England. Queensberry Promotions are keen to ensure Wardley, a devout Ipswich fan and the WBA’s number-one heavyweight contender, still fights at the outdoor venue against a ranked opponent.

News of Miller’s withdrawal was first reported on Tuesday by NoSmokeBoxing but on Wednesday a source close to negotiations told BS: “We were told three days ago that he’d suffered a minor injury to his shoulder and he was taking a break from sparring but that was it. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he’d pulled out without telling everyone though.” The news came that event organizers feared was coming a few hours later.

Getting an opponent for Wardley has long proved difficult. Before Miller came failed negotiations with WBA “regular” titlist Kubrat Pulev. The sanctioning body then approved Queensberry’s request to reintroduce their interim strap and award it to the winner of Wardley-Miller, moving Miller six places up their rankings in the process.

Australia’s Huni, unranked by the WBA because he holds the WBO “global” title, is thought to be the frontrunner. Should he relinquish that title then he could claim a ranking with the WBA and be eligible to fight for the interim title.

Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic, ranked seventh by the WBA, is fresh off a gruelling victory over Joe Joyce in April and this opportunity might have come too soon.

Michael Hunter, rated second by the WBA, had been in talks to challenge Pulev.

Miller was forced out of a shot at Anthony Joshua in June 2019 when he failed two drugs tests. He would fail another while plotting his return the following year. He has not fought since being held to a draw by Andy Ruiz in August 2024.

[Ruthless-RKO]

JARRELL MILLER OUT OF FABIO WARDLEY CLASH WITH SHOULDER INJURY, REPLACEMENT BEING SOUGHT

Jarrell Miller is out of his June 7 clash with Fabio Wardley after suffering a shoulder injury in training camp.

Brooklyn-born Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs), who hasn't been in action since a contentious draw with Andy Ruiz Jr last August, was set to face Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) at Ipswich FC's home ground Portman Road.

The press conference to announce the fight was a fiery one which ended after Miller made contact with Wardley's face following an intense verbal back-and-forth.

But now the fight won't be happening at all, and replacements are being sought after, with an announcement expected by Friday.

A Queensberry statement read: "Due to a shoulder injury sustained during training camp, Jarrell Miller has had to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Fabio Wardley at Portman Road on June 7.

"Queensberry are currently speaking to all relevant parties regarding the situation and expect to have a replacement opponent announced within the next 48 hours."

The clash was set to be for the WBA 'Interim' heavyweight title, with the winner likely to go on and face the winner of Michael Hunter 'Regular' vs. champion Kubrat Pulev.

NoSmokeBoxing were first to report the news that Miller was out of the contest.

Wardley, The Ring's No. 9 heavyweight, hasn't fought since a first-round knockout over Frazer Clarke, which took place on the first Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol card in October.

Among the potential replacements for Wardley are Hunter, who hasn't fought since December, and Filip Hrgovic, who beat Joe Joyce on points at the beginning of April.

[Ruthless-RKO]

We know Hrgovic vs. Sanchez..

[joshj909]

Huni would be interesting. Someone's 0 must go... Both should get credit for that fight if it comes off. I guess I feel it might be a shame for one of them to drop down the pecking order when we want the fresh blood, such as the two of them, to clear out the old guard who have been out staying their welcome. It doesn't propel either of them right to the top either.

Would honestly prefer to see Wardley vs Hunter. Just think Hunter needs to get back in the mix before he's way too old. This would be the perfect level of fight for both him and Wardley. If Wardley knocks out Hunter and people will definitely have to take notice. While it the stepping stone Wardley would need if he's going to end up getting a title shot.

Wardley vs Hrgovic is solid but I think Hrgovic will want that fight more than Wardley unless he isn't willing to risk his final eliminator. If Wardley beats him he's just beat a guy with a questionable win again Zhang and went to war with a way past it Joyce while also getting stopped by Dubois. He'd be a tough opponent for Wardley but I don't think Warldley would get the credit he'd deserve. If Hrgovic loses that, he'll have nowhere to go.

I wouldn't be against Wardley knocking out Pulev but Kabayel would be my first choice.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Question is.. who is the weakest?

[Coco]

Miller cycling?

[Coco]

Chisora? Joyce? Wilder? Zhang?

[gregregegg]

If it was for the full fake wba I would be ok with huni taking it… but I don’t think huni should sacrifice his wbo rank for a short notice interim fake wba belt…

[Jimmy2025]

What about Shades?

[Ruthless-RKO]

What about Shades?

He only fights in 1k capacity leasure centers.

[tony1234]

Does this even go ahead ? 5 weeks away from a stadium main event and his opponent is TBA

[stujones]

Vacant interim world title when pulev just won the ordinary belt? FFS

[mickey1975]

I've heard a couple of potential undercard fights won't be on now due to Miller pulling out. They were Spencer Brown fighters, the same as Miller.

[joshj909]

I've heard a couple of potential undercard fights won't be on now due to Miller pulling out. They were Spencer Brown fighters, the same as Miller.

Any ideas of what's gone on?

[maverick23]

I've heard a couple of potential undercard fights won't be on now due to Miller pulling out. They were Spencer Brown fighters, the same as Miller.

Strange that they’d be pulled just because of no Miller in the main event. I guess Frank has enough prospects/undercard fighters of his own to put on.

[keithmoonhangover]

Does this even go ahead ? 5 weeks away from a stadium main event and his opponent is TBA

It's Fwank, so either be someone British or someone with a very flattering record.

Nelson Hysa? David Adeleye?

[Jimmy2025]

I've heard a couple of potential undercard fights won't be on now due to Miller pulling out. They were Spencer Brown fighters, the same as Miller.

Any ideas of what's gone on?

Has Miller sorted things out with Salita? If the answer is no, there's your answer perhaps. Shoulder injury aside....

Late last year Miller had this to say about Salita:

“Chisora is a good dude. He wants to fight. I want to fight. The fight is off because of this little piece of shit named Dmitry Salita, the dirtiest human being I’ve ever met in my entire life, and I’ve been around a lot of dirty motherfuckers. But Salita is the worst human being that’s ever walked the planet. Him and his dirty-ass lawyer, John Wirt, are compulsive liars. My contract is up with them, but he’s exercising his first and last right of refusal and blatantly made up an entire story to try to get more money out of it.”

https://www.BS.com/articles/ja ... -continues

[maverick23]

I've heard a couple of potential undercard fights won't be on now due to Miller pulling out. They were Spencer Brown fighters, the same as Miller.

Any ideas of what's gone on?

Has Miller sorted things out with Salita? If the answer is no, there's your answer. Shoulder injury aside....

Late last year Miller had this to say about Salita:

“Chisora is a good dude. He wants to fight. I want to fight. The fight is off because of this little piece of shit named Dmitry Salita, the dirtiest human being I’ve ever met in my entire life, and I’ve been around a lot of dirty motherfuckers. But Salita is the worst human being that’s ever walked the planet. Him and his dirty-ass lawyer, John Wirt, are compulsive liars. My contract is up with them, but he’s exercising his first and last right of refusal and blatantly made up an entire story to try to get more money out of it.”

https://www.BS.com/articles/jarrell-mil ... -continues

Miller said he had to declare himself bankrupt to get out of the deal. Who knows whether that’s held up.

I remember Turki saying he was amazed how little one of the fighters he had on his show compared to what he paid. Instantly made me think of Salita.

I don’t think Turki has used Salita’s stable since.

[Jimmy2025]

Any ideas of what's gone on?

Has Miller sorted things out with Salita? If the answer is no, there's your answer. Shoulder injury aside....

Late last year Miller had this to say about Salita:

“Chisora is a good dude. He wants to fight. I want to fight. The fight is off because of this little piece of shit named Dmitry Salita, the dirtiest human being I’ve ever met in my entire life, and I’ve been around a lot of dirty motherfuckers. But Salita is the worst human being that’s ever walked the planet. Him and his dirty-ass lawyer, John Wirt, are compulsive liars. My contract is up with them, but he’s exercising his first and last right of refusal and blatantly made up an entire story to try to get more money out of it.”

https://www.BS.com/articles/jarrell-mil ... -continues

Miller said he had to declare himself bankrupt to get out of the deal. Who knows whether that’s held up.

I remember Turki saying he was amazed how little one of the fighters he had on his show compared to what he paid. Instantly made me think of Salita.

I don’t think Turki has used Salita’s stable since.

How would being declared bankrupt fix things if the contract is with the individual? I don't have a clue as I'm not a lawyer.

[mickey1975]

I've heard a couple of potential undercard fights won't be on now due to Miller pulling out. They were Spencer Brown fighters, the same as Miller.

Any ideas of what's gone on?

No. Just that.

[Ruthless-RKO]

FABIO WARDLEY'S NEW OPPONENT SET TO BE CONFIRMED WITHIN 24 HOURS AS TERMS AGREED

Fabio Wardley’s new opponent is set to be announced ‘within 24 hours’ - and it will not be an Englishman.

Wardley had been set to face Jarrell Miller at Portman Road on June 7 but the American ‘Big Baby’ withdrew from the clash citing a shoulder problem.

It left Wardley without an opponent for his dream fight outdoors at the home of boyhood club Ipswich Town but Queensberry Promotions have moved fast in order to secure a replacement.

Rumours have suggested that the likes of Justis Huni, Michael Hunter and Filip Hrgovic were all on a potential hitlist while Wardley’s compatriots Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakporhe were also linked.

But Promoter allegedly says that a Battle of Britain with either of them will not be happening and that terms have been agreed with one heavyweight in particular. It is understood that person is Hrgovic but Warren refused to confirm.

Warren told The Ring: “We are getting a top quality opponent and we are lucky that we are blessed with a lot of heavyweight talent.

“The replacement is close and I’m hoping we will be in a position to announce it once the contract is signed but we have agreed all the terms with him.

"I wanted to announce it on Thursday but hopefully it will be done by Friday, so announced within 24 hours all being well.

“It won’t be a Brit but I can’t reveal who it is yet because there is no point doing that until the contract is signed.”

Frontrunner Hrgovic last boxed on April 5, when he outpointed Joe Joyce over 10 rounds at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester in what was his first fight since his stoppage defeat to Daniel Dubois last year.

He had looked set to face Frank Sanchez in a final eliminator for the IBF heavyweight title but it appears that he will opt to face Wardley for the WBA interim title instead.

[MightyWarrior]

Hrgovic is a very tough opponent for Fabio, but if it is him, it seems quite a short turnaround from going 10 with Joyce. Queensbury are really running Hrg through the mill with their heavyweights ….

[KiwiRider]

Hrgovic is a very tough opponent for Fabio, but if it is him, it seems quite a short turnaround from going 10 with Joyce. Queensbury are really running Hrg through the mill with their heavyweights ….

He keeps performing, I've become a bit of a fan.
A quick turnaround is sometimes the best for some fighters, some get distracted. Hrg seems to live the life.
He doesn't have a big fan base, and isn't a big personality but he can win fans by keeping busy. As for Fabs vs Hrg, I'm happy with that, close fight and the winner deserves opportunities.

[mickey1975]

Fwank said there was no testing in place because VADA refused to work with Miller!

[maverick23]

Fwank said there was no testing in place because VADA refused to work with Miller!

FfS!