Justis Huni backed to upset Fabio Wardley in heavyweight clash

Eddie Hearn believes Justis Huni is being underestimated and has backed the Australian heavyweight to shock Fabio Wardley when the pair collide at Portman Road in June.

Wardley was set to face off against Jarrell Miller in a fascinating showdown until the American pulled out of the bout due to a shoulder injury.

Drafted in to replace Miller for Wardley's homecoming fight is the undefeated Australian heavyweight champion Huni, who will be looking to snatch the WBA interim world heavyweight title from the Briton's clutches.

30-year-old Wardley, who is also putting his unbeaten record on the line, is the heavy odds-on favourite for when the two step in the ring on June 7.

However, Hearn is adamant that the decision Wardley's team made in offering Huni the fight will backfire and the 26-year-old Brisbane native will establish himself as Australia's newest boxing superstar.

During the press conference, Hearn said: “I’m happy and sad.

"I’m happy that Justis is going to get his chance to announce himself on the world stage, but just a little bit sad for Fabio because I thought he’d beat Jarrell Miller and I was quite looking forward to seeing it.

Now we’ve got to go and ruin everything. The dream, the fairytale and it’s a tough one because he’s a lovely fella.

"The pressure’s massive on Fabio Wardley.

"Two world-class fighters and the first time they’ve fought at world level. Two undefeated heavyweights and this man [Huni] is a serious fighter.”

Hearn recalled Anthony Joshua's infamous defeat at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr and likened it to the challenge Wardley encounters in Ipswich against Huni.

On why the matchup between Huni and Wardley reminded him of Joshua v Ruiz, Hearn stated: “The similarities are so similar. We were fighting Jarrell Miller and about four weeks before he pulled out of the fight and we were so confident.

"And like Frank [Warren] we wanted to deliver a great fight for the fans and the broadcaster and we probably chose the wrong style and we probably chose the wrong fight and this is a carbon copy of that, I really believe that.”

Jaquob Crooke

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