Portman Road is transformed for night of boxing

Large covered stage in the centre of the image. There are two football stands in the background. The sky is blue with moody grey clouds coming in above the stadium. Dino Cabras

The covered ring takes shape for Wardley's big fight

Lewis Adams
BBC News, Suffolk
Connor Bennett
BBC News, Suffolk

Ipswich Town's Portman Road stadium is being transformed into a boxing arena ahead of a heavyweight fight.

The Suffolk ground is due to host about 20,000 spectators when hometown hero Fabio Wardley takes on undefeated Justis Huni on Saturday.

The British fighter is hoping for a better outcome on the pitch than his beloved Tractor Boys, who failed to register a Premier League home win in 2025.

Queensberry Promotions said the arena was "coming along nicely" as it shared some pictures ahead of the bout.

Workers in hi-vis tops around the ring area which has been placed in the centre of the Portman Road pitch. There is a large black screen hanging from a large metal gantry. Dino Cabras

Teams worked round the clock to get Portman Road ready for Saturday night's big fight

A drone shot shows a cover for a boxing ring being erected in the middle of the Portman Road stadium. A sheet has been placed over the pitch and rows of chairs placed on each side of the ringJamie Niblock/BBC

Fabio Wardley will take on Justis Huni at Portman Road on Saturday night

Wardley was originally supposed to be fighting Jarrell Miller, who pulled out after suffering an injury in May.

Pictures have shown the stadium's famous pitch covered in protective plastic boards, with tall metal structures in place where the boxing ring is taking shape.

Wardley, who is boxing for the WBA interim title, said it was a "dream come true" to battle at the ground, which holds up to 30,000 fans for football.

He has won 18 of his 19 professional fights, with Huni winning all 12 bouts he has fought.

Ring walks are expected to take place at 21:50 BST, with gates opening at 16:30.

Workers wearing hi-vis jackets walking on the pitch at Portman Road. The pitch is mostly covered in protective plastic boards, but part of the playing surface remains exposed. There is a yellow heavy machinery vehicle putting large metal structures in place where the boxing ring will be. A stand with blue seats is on the right of the picture.Jamie Niblock/BBC

A sheet has been placed on top of the Portman Road pitch, as seen on Thursday

Workers wearing hi-vis jackets walking on the pitch at Portman Road, which is covered in protective plastic boards. There are yellow heavy machinery vehicles putting large metal structures in place where the boxing ring will be.Jamie Niblock/BBC

Gearing up: Wardley was originally supposed to battle US fighter Jarrell Williams

A large metal structure with a white roof, which all looks like a big tent, is in place in the middle of the pitch. It is surrounded by the football stadium's stands. Workers in hi-vis jackets are working around it and various vehicles are parked nearby. The pitch is covered in white protective boards.Queensberry Promotions

The headline fighters are expected to walk on at 21:50 BST

It will be the first time since 1946 that Portman Road has hosted boxing, according to TWTD.

Olympic medallist Lewis Richardson, from Colchester, is on the 10-fight undercard, as is Ipswich boxer Jack Williams.

Seats in the foreground at Portman Road, with a stage in the centre of the pitch, surrounded by the stands at the stadiumDino Cabras

Boxing fans will take their seats for a night of fights at Portman Road

A view of the boxing ring in the centre of the Portman Road pitch, taken from the press box at Portman Road, showing seating on the pitch and a structure taking shapeDino Cabras

The central boxing ring begins to take shape in the heart of the Portman Road pitch

According to Ipswich Town FC's website, the first fight of the night was expected to start at 16:40 BST.

About 10 fights were set to take place at Portman Road on Saturday, with gates opening at 16:30.

A drone photo shows a wide shot of Portman Road stadium, with construction of the boxing ring ongoingJamie Niblock/BBC

The team has spent Friday and Saturday transforming the pitch at Portman Road ahead of a full schedule of boxing

A view of the boxing ring in the centre of the Portman Road pitch from a behind the first couple of rows of green seats. Behind the boxing ring is one of the stands at the stadium.Dino Cabras

The ring has been assembled near to the centre circle of the pitch and the first float fight is expected to start just before 17:00 BST

Seats in the foreground at Portman Road, with a stage in the centre of the pitch, that has a boxing ring in the middle with big screens that will broadcast the fight. Behind the boxing ring is one of the stands at the stadium.Dino Cabras

Spectators will sit ringside on the pitch. Three of the four stands will seat spectators with the fourth used for technical equipment

A close up view of one of the stands at the stadium that has two levels. The chairs are blue, and in long rows which span across the whole picture. People are sat staring towards the right of the image where the boxing ring is.Connor Bennett/BBC

Spectators take their seats in the ground ahead of a night of boxing

View from the left side of the boxing arena from behind rows of chairs. Security in yellow hi-vis jackets are lined-up outside of the barriers next to the boxing ring.Connor Bennett/BBC

Security lined-up outside of the barriers around the stage ready for the fight

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