In a dramatic twist at Portman Road on Saturday night, British heavyweight Fabio Wardley delivered a thunderous 10th-round knockout to stop Australia’s Justis Huni—despite trailing on all three judges’ scorecards. The finish, though electrifying, has since sparked controversy, with Huni’s camp voicing frustration over what they claim was a premature stoppage.
But Wardley isn’t buying it.
A Stunning Turnaround
Wardley, fighting on home soil, was facing one of the toughest tests of his career. Huni had looked sharp throughout the bout and appeared well on his way to a points victory. All three judges had the Australian ahead going into the 10th round. Then came the game-changing moment: a perfectly-timed right hand from Wardley that sent Huni crashing to the canvas.
Referee John Latham immediately stepped in and waved off the contest—before completing the full 10-count. From Latham’s vantage point, Huni seemed in no shape to continue, and the ref chose fighter safety over formality.
Controversy Erupts
Not everyone agreed with the referee’s decision. Huni’s promoter Mick Francis erupted post-fight, describing the stoppage as premature and vowing to lodge a formal protest with the WBA.
“This is a world title fight, not some scrap in the park,” Francis said angrily. “They didn’t give Justis Huni the correct opportunity to get up and fight on.”
Francis wasn’t alone. Spencer Brown and Eddie Hearn—both part of Huni’s promotional team—also questioned the timing, suggesting Huni should’ve been given more time to recover. Brown remarked, “It looks like a nine-count to me. He was groggy but coming around.”
Wardley Responds: “He Wasn’t Coming Back”
Unfazed by the uproar, Wardley took to social media to set the record straight. He posted a clip showing the count, insisting the official protocol was followed.
“For educational purposes,” Wardley wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The count starts the second Huni hits the canvas. And it’s the fourth official outside the ring that starts the count. The referee takes his cue from there.”
He didn’t stop there. When fans suggested Huni might’ve beaten the count, Wardley fired back: “The referee can wave it off whenever he wants if he feels the fighter can’t safely continue. Just making the count isn’t enough—you have to prove you’re mentally and physically ready. Clearly, Huni wasn’t.”
Wardley went a step further in defense of the decision:
“If the ref had let it go, I would’ve unloaded a barrage of shots and rendered him unconscious. Then everyone would be criticizing the ref for letting it continue too long. Which outcome would you prefer?”
Huni: Respectful in Defeat
Despite the heated comments from his team, Justis Huni remained composed in his post-fight remarks.
“I’m not going to kick up a fuss about it,” he said calmly. “It is what it is. Fabio deserves to enjoy his win. What can you do? The decision stays the same. Credit to him—I’ll be back.”
What’s Next for Wardley?
With this victory, Wardley maintains his unbeaten record at 19-0-1 and adds another knockout to his highlight reel. More importantly, he proves that in boxing, it’s not about how you start, but how you finish.
While the debate over the stoppage may linger, one thing is certain: Wardley seized his moment—and made it count in the most emphatic way possible.
