Justis Huni’s manager Mick Francis says his team are to launch an official appeal to the WBA regarding the manner in which referee John Latham ended last night’s fight with Fabio Wardley at Portman Road.

Huni, 26, had been winning the WBA interim Heavyweight title fight until Ipswich-born Wardley, 30, floored him with a stunning right hand in the 10th round.

Latham ended the fight with Huni still struggling to get to his feet as the count - started by the timekeeper outside the ring before being picked up by the referee after he has made sure the other boxer is in a neutral corner - reached 10.

While there seemed to be no protests in the immediate aftermath, Francis says an appeal is now planned.

“I’m lodging a protest with the WBA,” he told Fox Sports Australia “We haven’t heard the end of this.

“I’ve already spoken to Eddie Hearn [of Matchroom Boxing] and Spencer [Brown, GoldStar Promotions] and they agreed.

“It’s a f***ing world title, not some fight in the park. And they didn’t give Justis Huni the correct opportunity.

“Justis wasn’t wobbly when he got to his feet. Yes, he got hit with a good shot and if he’d had enough, fair enough, but Justis was putting on a boxing clinic. They were looking for any opportunity to give this fight to Wardley.”

Francis also revealed that Huni, who replaced original opponent Jarrell Miller, who had pulled out due to a shoulder injury, five weeks before the fight, had been suffering with a left biceps injury picked up 10 days before the fight. An injury which meant he only started punching again less than 24 hours before the fight.

Photo: Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

EuanTown added 15:52 - Jun 8 No surprise really
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ArnieM added 16:20 - Jun 8 Didnt know they used VAR in boxing. What is sport coming to!
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fifeblue added 17:37 - Jun 8 It was 10 seconds from him hitting the floor to the decision by the referee.
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victorysquad added 17:42 - Jun 8 For the integrity of the sport and for Fabio, it is right to ask for an investigation. If a rematch is deemed the right outcome then so be it. Having rewatched it a few times it is clear Fabio did land a big blow on him, the question to be asked is was it enough? We will never know whether Fabio would have finished him off or not. So a rematch seems the fairest outcome, if it deemed the count was too quick

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blues1 added 17:49 - Jun 8 Fifeblue. Which ua totally correct. The count starts from when he hits the floor. There's actually a picture on Facebook showing the ref indicating 9 seconds when huni still on one knee. So wouldn't have been fully up by 10. Dont think Hunis camp have any real grounds for appeal tbh. Prob just frustrated as he was so far ahead and had the fight won.
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virginblue added 19:19 - Jun 8 This is all about Eddie Hearn. His camp were happy enough after the fight, but Eddie won’t have liked that, as there’s more money to be made.
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DannyITFC added 19:27 - Jun 8 lol Huni’s Manager is just bitter for losing, it’s sport get over it! The ref made a decision to wave off at 9 secs because he had judged Huni was not coherent and fit to continue, spot on decision saving him from possible unnecessary injury or worse. The ref has a duty of care for both fighters, lots of KOs get called way before 10 secs if the opponent is in a bad position. Nothing will come of this, it’s heavyweight boxing nothing is over until the last bell.

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Stato added 19:49 - Jun 8 spot on Danny. nothing in the boxing says ref has to count to 10 as he can deem the guy unable to defend himself and as you rightly say the ref has a duty of care to protect both fighters
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Dissboyitfc added 06:26 - Jun 9 Huni himself had no complaints after the fight, very gracious in defeat.
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Dissboyitfc added 06:26 - Jun 9 Huni himself had no complaints after the fight, very gracious in defeat.
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SouperJim added 09:24 - Jun 9 It was a little tight, but a perfectly valid 10 count. The appeal will get them absolutely nowhere and just looks like sour grapes as Huni was well on top.
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Wickets added 09:49 - Jun 9 Probably just trying to force a rematch. Ref did his job and as the report states no complaints from Huni or his corner at the time .
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nowinecrisis added 16:05 - Jun 9 If anyone thinks an investigation and rematch is the right approach, there would be multiple claims for rematches in boxing and what would the criteria be? It’s the referee’s decision whether or not you think he was too quick is irrelevant. Boxing will always have controversy but none here for me, if he had been allowed to box on and been hit with that force a again everyone would say the ref. should have protected him. Right outcome keep fighers safe.

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StAlbansTractorBoy added 16:35 - Jun 9 Is this now a dual football/boxing site
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StAlbansTractorBoy added 16:35 - Jun 9 Is this now a dual football/boxing site
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StAlbansTractorBoy added 16:35 - Jun 9 Is this now a dual football/boxing site
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