Portman Road Stadium’s Transformation
The iconic Portman Road stadium, traditionally a football venue for Ipswich Town, is undergoing a dramatic makeover as it prepares to host a high-profile boxing match this Saturday. This significant event will see local fighter Fabio Wardley, who has earned 19 wins out of 18 bouts, face off against the undefeated Justis Huni, aiming to attract around 20,000 boxing enthusiasts to the arena.
A Historic Boxing Event
The transformation of Portman Road into a boxing ring marks a historic occasion, as it is the first boxing event held at the ground since 1946, according to local sports news source TWTD. Boxing promoter Queensberry Promotions has provided updates on the progress of the arena setup and shared images showing how the pitch has been protected with plastic coverings and scaffolding erected for the boxing ring.
Fighter’s Perspective
Wardley expressed his excitement about fighting at Portman Road, calling it a “dream come true,” particularly amid the challenges faced by his home football team, which struggled to secure a Premier League victory in 2025.
Originally, he was scheduled to fight American boxer Jarrell Miller, but Miller’s withdrawal due to injury has led to this matchup with Huni, who remains unbeaten in his 12 professional fights.
Event Details
With doors opening at 16:30 and the main ring walks slated for approximately 21:50 BST, the event is positioned to draw significant local interest. Among the undercard, notable fighters include Olympic medalist Lewis Richardson from Colchester and Ipswich’s own Jack Williams, contributing to what promises to be an exciting night of boxing.
