British heavyweight Fabio Wardley will face American Jarrell Miller on Portman Road in Ipswichtown on June 7 for the WBA “Temporary” title.
Wardley is a lifelong fan of the Premier League club and said the fight at the stadium was “on the card” after beating fellow Briton Fraser Clark in October.
The undefeated 30-year-old vacated his British title in March as he pursued a world title.
“As a proud tractor boy born and raised in Ipswich, this is a dream for me,” Wardley said.
“To compete for a world title on Portman Road means everything to me, and I have a tough opponent before me, but that’s what I live in.
“I’m ready to dig deeper and go into the fight and leave it all in the ring. It’s going to be a war, and I can’t wait to give the crowds of my hometown a sight that will never be forgotten.”
Wardley was set to face WBA “regular” champion Cublat Pureev, but instead meets 36-year-old Miller.
Miller has not won since March 2023, but his final two fights ended with a loss by Daniel Dubois and a draw in August with Andy Lewis Jr.
He was in discussion to face Derek Chisora in February, but negotiations were made amid a dispute between the US and his promoters.
Before becoming an expert in 2017, Wardley, who fought just a handful of unlicensed white-collar matches in a handful of unlicensed white-collar matches, recorded 18 wins and 17 wins at the stops.
“It’s a great joy for me to bring Fabio to his dream of fighting on Portman Road,” said Frank Warren of Queensbury, who promotes Wardley.
“That’s what he’s spoken since the first day of our alliance and I know how much the town of Ipswich means to him.”
