Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni: Preview & Betting Tips

Wardley has become one of the most exciting domestic heavyweights in the UK thanks to his eye-catching power and his success story, having only just taken up the sport in 2017 with zero amateur background. And I think you can still see that rawness in his fights, particularly in the first Frazer Clarke fight, which ended as a draw. However, his power, which is his biggest strength, saw him overcome Clarke in an immediate rematch when he dislocated Clarke’s jaw last October.

Unlike Wardley, Huni was a standout amateur, amassing an amateur record of 35-2, and now Australia’s top heavyweight hope, Huni is hoping to replicate his amateur success in the pro ranks. 

Huni has quick hands, good feet, and a deep amateur pedigree, which may make him a tough puzzle for Wardley to solve. However, Huni has never faced a puncher of Wardley’s calibre, and he has been badly hurt in the past, so the Suffolk man will be well aware that Huni can be hurt. Likewise, the Aussie will know Wardley possesses the ability to shut his lights out in one shot.

Wardley vs Huni: Prediction & Betting Tips

Huni has promised to “box [Wardley’s] ears off,” and he has the skillset to do just that, for as long as it lasts. His best chance lies in staying behind the jab, moving laterally, and frustrating Wardley into loading up and gassing out, which he did in the first Clarke fight. 

This fight all boils down to one key factor: can Huni’s chin take Wardley’s power? If it can, then Wardley will be in for a hard and long night, as fundamentally and technically Huni is far better. But, we’ve seen fights like this before where one man possesses the ultimate equaliser – knockout power – which changes the course of a fight.

One thing that intrigues me about this bout though is Huni’s punching power. Whilst Wardley has the clear power advantage, we shouldn’t forget that Huni has seven knockouts on his record. And in terms of setting up shots and disguising punches, he is certainly much better in that regard than the Brit.

You can see why Fabio Wardley’s win odds are at 1.30, because recency bias plays a huge part these days. Everyone has the brutal KO he scored against Frazer Clarke in our memories still. Quite simply, Huni is fresher and younger than Clarke though, and has great boxing skills.

I don’t have total faith in the Aussie’s chin, but Wardley’s odds to win by KO/TKO (generally 1.80) doesn’t take my fancy. And I certainly can’t envisage him out-pointing Huni (odds generally at 4.50). 

Therefore, I am willing to bet the underdog in this one – Justis Huni to win outright at odds of 3.75 (Bet 365). I’m personally also going to be doubling down on my Huni pick by staking something on Huni to win by KO/TKO against Wardley at 8.00 (Bet 365). 

Wardley has been hurt himself in the past, and is known to open himself up when throwing wildly. I see plenty of scenarios (if Huni’s chin holds up) for the Aussie to time the Brit with quick counter punches walking into range.