Singing in the rain - cheap plastic ponchos were the order of the night even in the most expensive seats in the houseSinging in the rain - cheap plastic ponchos were the order of the night even in the most expensive seats in the house (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry) WHAT A NIGHT
As the heavens opened for the first time last night, and fans and media alike were sent scurrying for cover, I had a bit of a sinking feeling.
Was this dream homecoming event, six years in the making, going to end up being a very damp (literally) squib?
Undercard fighters walked to the ring with protective coverings on their boxing boots, burly security guards sheltering them with umbrellas.
Radio broadcasters in front of us were taking cover under tarpaulins. On media row, our laptops had to constantly be stashed in bags as the rains came. And boy, did they come.
Behind us, folks who'd paid big money for seats as close as possible to the ring were forced to don cheap plastic ponchos.
But, as the stadium DJ started spinning tunes linked to the vaguely ridiculous scene - 'Why does it always rain on me' was a big hit - the whole night started to feel fun. If anything, the rain made it even more special.
Wardley's walkout was electrifyingWardley's walkout was electrifying (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry) As the main card started, so did the chanting. Three sides of Portman Road began to feel and look full. Around 20,000 fans serenaded Town boss Kieran McKenna as he took his seat ringside with Mark Ashton, rubbing shoulders with Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn.
Wardley's walkout, with Town flags flying and flames firing into the air, was exhilarating. An electricity you can only get from big-time boxing jolted through the now-packed ground.
The stage was set. This was going to be Fab's night. Wasn't it?
Justis Huni scored all night with his left hookJustis Huni scored all night with his left hook (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry) HUNI'S HOOK
Affable, laid-back Aussie Justis Huni never looked like he'd shrink when the dance began under the bright Portman Road lights.
He'd stayed calm and respectful throughout the build-up, humbly suggesting he was a better boxer than Wardley and that the Suffolk slugger simply wouldn't be able to find him with his terrifying power.
And, after a close first couple of rounds - I gave Fab the first and Huni the second - the unbeaten visitor warmed to the task in front of him on the cold Ipswich night.
He boxed beautifully, consistently jolting Wardley's head back with his rapier jab, and hammering Fab's body with thudding, spiteful, left hooks, draining the Chantry man's battery.
Indeed, that hook was the story of the fight. Until it wasn't, but we'll get to that...
As Wardley looked to respond or trap Huni on the ropes, he'd move away effortlessly, judging the range and angles with the skill of a man who had an incredible 42-3 record at the elite level of amateur boxing.
As the rounds ticked by, a pattern started to emerge. Wardley looked frustrated and a step behind. The crowd, so loud and raucous at the start of the fight, became subdued.
After nine rounds, I had it 8-1 Huni. All he had to do was stay on his feet, and the fight was his.
In contrast, Wardley needed to find something remarkable. His only path to victory was by stoppage. In truth, there had been no sign at all that he could find it.
Fabio Wardley found the best punch of his career to date to send Huni sprawlingFabio Wardley found the best punch of his career to date to send Huni sprawling (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry) CONCUSSIVE CONCLUSION
Going into the fight, I expected Huni to have built a lead by halfway. I had not expected quite the boxing masterclass we got.
Even though everyone in the stadium knew Wardley had the power to turn the fight, I don't think you'd have found a single soul brave enough to predict a home win as the bell sounded for the tenth round. The fight felt like it was over.
And yet. Wardley has had a flair for the dramatic his whole career to date, an unlikely rise akin to a real-life Rocky movie.
Midway through the stanza, as Huni moved into range again, Wardley found his blockbuster.
As the Australian threw a jab, Wardley slipped his head off the centre line to his left and simultaneously launched his money punch, the overhand right.
Somehow Wardley found the punch he neededSomehow Wardley found the punch he needed (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry) The nuclear missile encased in his boxing glove whizzed through the Suffolk night air before detonating on Huni's chin, sending him sprawling onto his back.
Portman Road erupted. On media row, I jumped into the air and uttered all manner of expletives alongside everyone else in the ground. It was extraordinary.
Huni was done. He bravely clambered to a knee and wobbled to his feet, but the fight was over. In the aftermath, some in his team moaned about a fast count, but Huni had no complaints as the referee's arms enveloped him.
Following Huni's promoter Eddie Hearn back down the tunnel, he repeatedly said he couldn't believe what he'd seen, that the fight had been over and his man had it won. Until he didn't.
Huni, who was all class throughout the entire promotion, was magnanimous in defeat.
He will come again. He showed just how good he is. But this, somehow, was Fabio Wardley's night.
Like a scene from a film - Wardley embraces heavily-pregnant better half Charlotte after the fightLike a scene from a film - Wardley embraces heavily-pregnant better half Charlotte after the fight (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry) WHAT NEXT?
In the movie script which seems to be Wardley's life, he rolls straight from this remarkable win, at the end of the biggest week of his life, into an even bigger week.
He's set to become a dad in the next few days, with heavily-pregnant better half Charlotte ringside with his family and friends to watch him on his dream night. Lord knows what must have been going through her head as the rounds rolled by.
When baby Wardley is born, daddy Fabio will find himself right in line for a full world title shot.
Warren told me after the fight that he could well be one of the mandatory challengers for whomever emerges victorious from the undisputed megafight between brilliant unbeaten Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and big-punching Brit Daniel DuBois at Wembley on July 19th.
That could be one option, or Team Wardley could pursue aging WBA 'regular' champ Kubrat Pulev, a man who apparently didn't fancy facing Fab at Portman Road.
It's genuinely incredible to say this, given Wardley's boxing background - or lack of it - but he has the pugilistic world at his feet. Or, rather, the dynamite sledgehammers he calls hands.
The Suffolk man is one of the best stories in all of sport. And now thousands can say they were there on the rainy Ipswich night when he penned his greatest chapter yet.
Wardley hugs mum Shonni-leighWardley hugs mum Shonni-leigh (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry)