Wardley and Miller separated by security after clash at Ipswich; dazn face-off cancelled.

Fabio Wardley and Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller’s pre-fight tensions boiled over at Portman Road on Monday, forcing security to step in and scrap their highly anticipated face-to-face interview. The confrontation erupted during their promotional event for the June 7 heavyweight showdown at the home of Ipswich Town Football Club.

What was meant to be a routine press day turned ugly as Miller accused Wardley of mocking him in a diss track titled Big Baby Killer. Seated just metres apart on the pitchside stage, Miller grew visibly agitated before launching himself from his chair and confronting the undefeated British heavyweight.

Wardley, now 18-0-1 with 17 knockouts, looked baffled by the accusation and firmly denied any involvement in the track. But Miller wasn’t buying it. The American, who holds a record of 26-1-2 (22 KOs), burst forward, and though security scrambled to intervene, he managed to slap the top of Wardley’s head before being pulled back.

Wardley immediately responded, charging towards Miller in an attempt to retaliate, sparking a brief melee that stunned onlookers. Fortunately, staff and security managed to restore order without further escalation, and the two were led apart before the situation spiralled further.

Despite the scuffle, the head-to-head photo opportunity still went ahead in the centre circle of the pitch. Cameras caught the pair exchanging intense stares, but the volatile energy lingered in the air long after they walked away.

What didn’t go ahead, however, was the much-hyped DAZN segment known as The Gloves Are Off, hosted by Ade Oladipo. The face-to-face sit-down is a staple of major boxing promotions, often revealing the psychological warfare between fighters. But this time, the heat had already spilled over.

Miller arrived at the interview room and took his place in the hot seat while Wardley remained outside doing pitchside interviews. Moments later, as Miller stepped out to use the restroom, news came through that security had advised Wardley to withdraw from the interview for safety reasons.

When Miller returned, visibly unimpressed, he scoffed, “They punked out, I heard. Let’s go.”

It’s yet another chaotic chapter in Miller’s combustible career. Known for his brash trash talk and unfiltered persona, the American has long stirred controversy in the ring and out. Monday’s altercation added fuel to the fire, with fans now even more eager to see whether he can back up his antics in front of Wardley’s home crowd.

For Wardley, the clash was not just personal but territorial. Fighting in the stadium of his beloved Ipswich Town, the British champion hopes to deliver a knockout on home turf and silence Miller for good.

The June 7 fight at Portman Road is shaping up to be a fiery affair, not just for the belts on the line, but for the unresolved beef between two heavyweights who clearly can’t stand the sight of each other.

With tensions now sky-high, promoter Eddie Hearn and DAZN will likely be reviewing their security protocols for the remainder of the build-up. One thing’s for certain: if the fireworks at Monday’s presser are anything to go by, fight night will be unmissable.