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Summary

Live Reporting

Charlotte Coates

  1. Now that is what you call playing a risky game, Kal!

  2. From the ring to the delivery suite?

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Portman Road, Ipswich

    There might be an extra set of nerves was Fabio Wardley paces up and down his dressing room tonight.

    His partner is pregnant with their first child, and the due date is next week. Wardley itted the timing "wasn’t ideal", but he couldn’t say no to fighting at Portman Road.

    I covered Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia when my daughter was due four weeks later. I thought that was cutting it fine!

  3. Canelo in Barnsley?!

    Simpson v Zucco

    Everyone has a dream and Callum Simpson's is to fight Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in his beloved Barnsley.

    "I'll show him the town during fight week. Barnsley Town Hall is a beautiful building. For me, it's the ninth wonder of the world," Simpson said with a grin.

    "But seriously, two years ago, I did an interview saying I want to fight Canelo at Oakwell Stadium and people laughed, saying 'you'll never fight at Oakwell let alone Canelo'.

    "But on Saturday I'm fighting at Oakwell for the second time in 10 months, having sold thousands of tickets, so why not Canelo at some point">Image source, Getty Images

  • Here's something you probably never thought you'd read...

  • 'Justis is the better fighter'

    Wardley v Huni

    Matchroom boxing promoter Eddie Hearn: "I drove in with a little smirk on my face, I knew the rain would ease when I got here.

    "All the pressure is on Fabio Wardley. Two great heavyweights. A massive fight. It's going to be tough, a great fight but Justis will bring the win home.

    "It's a really good 50/50 fight. On paper, Justis is the underdog. Fabio's a real sharp-shooter. For me, Justis is the better fighter."

  • Wardley v Huni

    "All the pressure is on Fabio Wardley" according to Eddie Hearn.

    He also says he fully expects Justis Huni to win tonight.

  • Can Huni spoil the homecoming?

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Portman Road, Ipswich

    Justis Huni’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is convinced the Aussie wins on away soil. The Matchroom boss has really been talking up his fighter's chances in the build-up, and why not?

    Huni arrives undefeated, with an impressive amateur pedigree. He’s technically sharp and a solid contender, but he’s not invincible.

    Kevin Lerena had Huni in trouble a few times last year. Wardley punches a lot harder than Lerena.

    Justis Huni form guide. WIN - TKO, 2nd round WIN - TKO, 2nd round WIN - TKO, 2nd round WIN - Unanimous decision, 10 rounds WIN - Unanimous decision, 10 rounds

  • A different Portman Road

    Wardley v Huni

    A general view of Portman RoadQueensberry

    Portman Road, home of Ipswich Town, has received a makeover for tonight's boxing.

    Here is how the ring looks from afar.

    20,000 are expected to be packed in to one of their own in Fabio Wardley.

  • 'I didn't believe it would happen'

    Wardley v Huni

    Fabio Wardley acknowledges that fighting so close to his partner's due date is not ideal, but the opportunity to be the main event at Portman Road was simply too good to up.

    "I didn't believe it would happen up until six, seven months ago," says Wardley, a lifelong fan of Ipswich.

    "For everything to fall into place - the pitch, the season ending, the right opponent - is extremely difficult. But all the things have aligned perfectly."

    Fabio Wardely in an Ipswich shirt with his arms foldedGetty Images

  • 'I don't know if I'm nervous'

    Wardley v Huni

    Fabio Wardley's partner is due to give birth in a week so what a seven days or so this could be for the 30-year-old.

    Who'd have thought he'd be headlining is his boyhood club's stadium and becoming a father all in the space of a week?!

    "I don't know if I'm nervous about changing nappies or not," Wardley jokes. "Fighting is at least something I have control over and have done a few times, so I know what I'm doing.

    "But this whole new stage after this fight - being a dad - is going to be a whole different realm."

    Fabio Wardley waving to the crowd in a suitGetty Images

  • Tanaka and Lomachenko call time on careers

    Kosei Tanaka punches Christian Bacasegua on the chinGetty Images

    This week, two greats in modern-day boxing called time on their professional careers.

    On Wednesday, Japan's Kosei Tanaka retired at the age of 29 following a series of eye injuries.

    Tanaka was the quickest boxer to win world titles in four different weight divisions, claiming WBO belts at strawweight, light-flyweight, flyweight and super-flyweight in the space of 21 fights.

    A day after Tanaka's retirement, Ukrainian boxing great Vasiliy Lomachenko also said farewell to his professional boxing career at the age of 37.

    Lomachenko won Olympic gold medals at both the 2008 games in Beijing and at London in 2012.

    Across his 397 fights during his career, Lomachenko has lost just once. His overall record stands at 414-4.

    Vasyl Lomachenko amateur record Losses - 1 Wins - 396 Fights - 397

  • Wardley's last five fights

    Wardley v Huni

    Round one, seven, four and three - Fabio Wardley doesn't like to go the distance often.

    But when he did, it came in a terrific split decision draw against Frazer Clarke.

    I wouldn't be against a fight as good as that tonight!

    Fabio Wardley form guide. WIN - TKO, 1st round DRAW - Split decision draw, 12 rounds WIN - TKO, 7th round WIN - TKO, 4th round WIN - TKO, 3rd round

  • Wardley v Huni

    These two poor blokes are having to battle with the elements.

    It has been POURING down at Portman Road!

    Two men in rain jacketsGetty Images

  • Wardley v Huni

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Portman Road, Ipswich

    There’s something charmingly British about holding a stadium fight in the pouring rain.

    I got absolutely drenched after spending an hour wandering around trying to find the media entrance, but my spirits aren’t dampened.

    All around me, locals in ponchos are huffing, puffing, and rolling their eyes at the weather.

    Ironically, those who paid top dollar for floor seats are now eyeing the dry spectators in the covered stands with envy.

    Portman Road

  • Wardley v Huni

    Does anyone actually think Jarrell Miller knows Norwich are Ipswich's rivals?

  • A fiery conference

    Wardley v Huni

    Is anyone else a little bit upset we don't get to see Fabio Wardley take on Jarrell Miller tonight?

    That news conference was quite something wasn't it?!

    Fabio Wardely and Jarrell Miller facing offGetty Images
    Fabio Wardley and Jarrell Miller facing offGetty Images

  • Wardley v Huni

    Just on Jarrell Miller...

  • Is Huni a tougher fight than Miller?

    Wardley v Huni

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Portman Road, Ipswich

    Justis Huni stepped in when Jarrell Miller pulled out with an injury six weeks ago.

    Even though that is plenty time to prepare, Huni and Miller are different fighters and Wardley has had to change his game plan.

    Huni is patient, tactical, and ring smart, but with Miller it would have been a toe-to-toe slugfest. Power for power, no backward steps.

    Would Miller have been easier for Wardley? Possibly. Stylistically, it may have suited Wardley more. The build-up would have been more chaotic too.

  • Simpson by knockout?!

    Simpson v Zucco

    I know we're in partial dreamland here but just entertain me for a second!

    Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez has won an incredible 63 fights - with 62% of them wins coming by way of knockout.

    Callum Simpson is much less experienced than the multiple weight world champion but boasts a 71% knockout ratio.

    Simpson will be fighting soon, listen here on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra with the BBC Radio Sheffield team.

    You can also listen BBC Sounds or on your smart speaker - just say ‘play Sports Extra’.

    Callum Simpson and Saul Alvarez knockout ratio

  • Simpson takes on Zucco in Barnsley

    Simpson v Zucco

    BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Fabio Wardley isn't the only British boxer fighting in a football stadium tonight as Barnsley's Callum Simpson takes on Ivan Zucco at Oakwell.

    The British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion boasts an unbeaten record of 17 wins with 12 of them coming by knockout.

    We won't be taking you through round-by-round updates of that fight here but we do have radio commentary for those of you interested.

    Listen to Simpson v Zucco here on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra with the BBC Radio Sheffield team.

    You can also listen BBC Sounds or on your smart speaker - just say ‘play Sports Extra’.

    Callum Simpson's form guide. WIN - TKO, 5 rounds WIN - TKO, 2 rounds WIN - Unanimous decision, 12 rounds WIN - Knockout, 4 rounds WIN - Unanimous decision, 10 rounds