There were chaotic scenes at lunchtime’s first press conference to promote the Fabio Wardley-Jarrell Miller fight at Portman Road in June 7th with the American slapping the Ipswich-born, Town-supporting boxer as tempers flared.

The fight, for the interim WBA World Heavyweight Championship, was announced on Saturday with the pair at the ground this morning to go face-to-face at a press conference where security was forced to step in to separate them, but not before Miller, 36, nicknamed Big Baby, had slapped Chantry-born Wardley, 30, in the face.

Miller, from Brooklyn, New York, but wearing a Norwich City shirt, claimed to be irked by what he said was a diss track Wardley had put out in which he had said he would be a “Big Baby Killer”.

“Where I come from, that’s a death threat,” a furious Miller said, however, Wardley, the Commonwealth, WBO European and WBA International heavyweight champion, denied any knowledge of the track and appeared mystified by the accusation.

Looking ahead to the actual fight, Chantry-born Wardley, who started his career in white collar boxing, said: “It’s my hometown, born and bred, Ipswich boy, nothing’s being taken from me here. This ground is hallowed turf. This is where I’m strongest.”

Adding that the venue would give him “more fire, determination and output”, Wardley, who has long held the ambition of staging a hometown fight at the stadium, continued: “I become undeniable when you put me on that pitch.

“Ultimately, we’re here to fight. I’m not afraid of no man. I took him on for a reason. He said he’s avoided, no one wants to fight him, he took the [Daniel] Dubois fight [which Miller lost in December 2023] on short notice. Fair play. And you put on a half decent performance.

“I picked you. I’ve given you full notice, full camp, full time. Come prepared, come ready, because there’s no allowances, there’s no excuses. I’m giving you everything you say people don’t give you.

“You say people don’t give you the opportunity, here’s your opportunity. You say people don’t give you the camp, the time to prepare, you’ve got all that as well. Even just to sweeten the deal, I’ll throw in an interim belt in there for you as well. You’ve got everything you need.”

Miller, whose Norwich shirt bore the legend Going Down 25 on the back, hit back: “There’s a reason I was avoided for many years. I had one slip up with Dubois, I had three weeks’ notice for that.

“But, like I said before, I’m a killer. No matter where I go. Real warriors travel everywhere. I’ve been in people’s backyards before whoopin’ ass… I’m a f*** you up. Plain and simple. 

“I don’t mind doing the gimmicks and the fun stuff, but I don’t play. I don’t play the sport. This is what I do. I was bred for this shit. He’s never been in the ring with someone like me.”

He added: “Let’s get something straight, he’s not giving me the opportunity, I’m giving him the opportunity. Outside of Ipswich and England, nobody knows who the hell Fabio Wardley is. They know who Big Baby is.”

Tickets to the event, Portman Road’s first heavyweight boxing match, went on sale earlier this afternoon here.

Photo: ITFC

Kickingblock added 14:40 - Apr 7 I think that the ticket prices are too high to attract a non boxing fan who might well have gone out of curiosity.
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baxterbasics added 14:45 - Apr 7 Did boxing used to be considered a serious sport? Or has it always been a touch "WWE"?
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blueoutlook added 15:07 - Apr 7 All set up gimmicks to attract people. So unbelievable, unlike the good old days of boxing. As for the prices,well, they are getting ridiculous for the average punter. It’s all Hollywood and nothing about boxing.
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JewellintheTown added 15:34 - Apr 7 This guy will need to change his name to Big Loser. Outside of the UK, Big Baby is Donald Trump. After this game, everyone will know Fabio W.
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RobITFC added 16:23 - Apr 7 Nice hat in the cover photo!
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ITFCSG added 16:50 - Apr 7 Should have a special segment for Matheus Cunha to make his appearance in the ring as well
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Bluewhiteboy added 17:16 - Apr 7 Will be a great fight, big baby hard oppent fabio is the smarter and more athletic. Never seen fabio as fan of ipswich before the sponsorship but still think he wins this.
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Linkboy13 added 18:00 - Apr 7 It's all done to sell tickets. Big fan of Fabio although Miller's not one of the top five or six in the world a step up for Fabio but i expect him to win with a stoppage around round six or seven. Don't think many tickets will be sold locally as this is not a boxing hotbed judged by the Luke warm reception Fabio got at Portman road but it should be a sell out.
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chepstowblue added 18:00 - Apr 7 When will these pathetic chowder heads realise that these juvenile pre fight antics became boring many years ago. I'm not sure that I'd expect this sort of behaviour from 6yr olds. Muppets.
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warwickblue added 18:53 - Apr 7 What a ridiculous stunt. It brings the colours of both Ipswich Town and Norwich City into disrepute. Make no mistake, I'm no fan if the Budgies but what business has some shouting, ill-tempered guy from New York got wearing their shirt? If I was Ashton I'd think very carefully about how this sort of stunt reflects on the club, it's community work and the message it sends to younger fans. Boxing is boxing, like pop music is pop music. Let's keep our shirts for the players. The Wardley bout has got nothing to do with football, either here or at Carrow Road.

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blues1 added 19:05 - Apr 7 Warwickblue. Wardley is,a town fan. So withctge fight at portman road it makes sense thst he's wearing a town shirt. His opponent wearing a norwich shirt is pathetic tho. But, as with his last fight , it's happened again. The guy probably doesn't even know who norwich city are, so I,agreed with you on thst.Ashton would have had no say on whatchappenesmd in theis press,conference rho, so dont get why ur questioning him. And it really doesn't give any impression to younger fans.

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blues1 added 19:08 - Apr 7 To those moaning about the prices? They are very much the price tickets are for boxing. Maybe even a little cheaper. Linkboy13. Dont know why you think there aren't loads of boxing fans in this area. Think you'll find there's plenty.
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Northstandveteran added 19:39 - Apr 7 There are several posters I'd like to volunteer as sparring partners.
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Keanos_Barmy added 19:57 - Apr 7 That security guy that steps in looks like a dead ringer for Chappers
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Dizzyhat added 23:12 - Apr 7 I like Fabio's Suffolk Punch hat. I wonder if they're available in Planet Blue.
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MickMillsTash added 23:29 - Apr 7 Pantomime
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cardinaldom88 added 00:55 - Apr 8 This is actually a huge deal for both the club and the town. ITFC have done more recently to put Ipswich on the map and draw people into the area than the local council. Feel that Miller may have seen his best days during his ban but it remains to be seen what he can do in full camp. Wardley will not have faced some one who will come forward in the way Miller does, his intensity level is huge. Dubois left it very late against him. Got a strong feeling for Wardley though. And judging by the sales so far, there appears to be huge interest in this area. Suffolk has a good history with boxing going back to David Starrie amongst others.

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shakerbreaker added 06:14 - Apr 8 Roid rage
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BangaloreBlues added 07:13 - Apr 8 Anything that brings publicity to ITFC is good business as far as I am concerned. Otherwise I am looking at two little boys bickering in the playground. Boxing lost its credibility a long long time ago. I was around during the Tyson / Bruno years, since then boxers have become feminine by comparison. Other posted are correct, the so-called sport has become a WWE-style farce that uses gimmicks and huge publicity stunts to attract audiences that would otherwise not show up.

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trncbluearmy added 08:34 - Apr 8 gave up on boxing once Ali, The Greatest, retired hope the Ipswich lad wins but always want anyone from Suffolk to do well anyway
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Writtleblue added 09:50 - Apr 8 Big baby has thrown his rattle out of the pram.
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Razor added 14:20 - Apr 8 Think prices are reasonable in view of fact a fantastic night is on our doorstep on a warm suffolk evening----GET IN!!
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