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Sources close to NSB have reported that the WBA interim title clash between Fabio Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KO) and Jarrell Miller (26-1-2, 22 KO) has been called off. Reasons are not yet known for the cancellation however its believed to be an issue on Miller’s side.
The heavyweight bout was scheduled to take place at Portman Road, home of Wardley’s beloved Ipswich Town Football Club, but with negotiations breaking down, the former British champion is now on the hunt for a new opponent.
The bout marked a significant milestone for Wardley, whose meteoric rise has defied expectations in recent years. Once a white-collar fighter with no amateur pedigree, he now finds himself just one victory away from a shot at the world title.
Queensberry Promotions have been asked to comment on reports but have yet to respond.
Potential Replacements For Fabio Wardley Homecoming
Frank Warren could now be actively seeking a replacement for the American, aiming to keep their heavyweight contender on course in his pursuit of world title glory.
One potential replacement is fellow American and WBA No. 3 ranked contender Michael Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KO). ‘The Bounty’ last fought in December 2024, securing a fifth-round stoppage win over Christian Larrondo Garcia. Hunter’s lone career defeat came against pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk.
The 36-year-old also boasts a knockout victory over Martin Bakole, who is still widely regarded as one of the most dangerous fighters in the heavyweight division—despite suffering a first-round stoppage loss to Joseph Parker in his most recent outing.
Undefeated Cuban heavyweight Lenier Pero (12-0, 8KO) is another potential option with the 32-year-old currently sitting fifth in the WBA rankings. Pero doesn’t have the professional resume to match Hunter but boast a strong amateur pedigree having featured at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Nicknamed ‘El Justiciero’ (The Avenger), Peró is a slick southpaw with a sharp boxing IQ and refined technique. He could present a formidable challenge for Fabio Wardley, who is eager to prove he belongs among the heavyweight elite.
Filip Hrgović (18-1, 14 KO), currently ranked No. 7 in the WBA rankings, could also emerge as a potential replacement. The Croatian recently bounced back from his first professional defeat with a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Joe Joyce in April.
Armenian heavyweight Murat Gassiev (31-2, 24 KO), currently ranked No. 9 by the WBA, is another potential candidate to step in against Fabio Wardley on June 7th. The 31-year-old was last seen in action in October 2024, where he handed previously unbeaten Kem Ljungquist his first loss with a fifth-round stoppage.
