Boxer Sam Gilley walks to the ring with an UMBRELLA as rain pours down at Fabio Wardley's Portman Road fight
BOXER Sam Gilley had to walk to the ring with an UMBRELLA as rain poured down in Ipswich.
Heavyweight star Fabio Wardley - an Ipswich super-fan - headlines at his beloved Portman Road against Aussie Justis Huni.
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When Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren booked the 30,000-seater - he would have expected summer sunshine.
But even the veteran matchmaker, who has seen it all in the sport, would have been surprised to see grey clouds in Suffolk.
And things soon got worse as the heavens opened up.
The ring itself is thankfully covered but the walk to the ropes were not - so Gilley was taking no risks.
He covered his boots with plastic bags and had security cover him with a brolly on his way to fight Gideon Onyenani.
Gilley was due to face Louis Greene - but the Commonwealth champion pulled out amid a contract dispute.
They previously fought in a 2023 classic - with Gilley winning on points.
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And after their rematch - scheduled for the vacant British super-welterweight title - collapsed Onyenani stepped in on late notice.
And unfortunately for Gilley - despite covering up with the umbrella - he slipped up by drawing with Onyenani.
Referee Kieran McCann scored the bout 76-76.
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I had a few nice ones but also a few that's just about getting used to the level that got cut out. 'The manager has said just to get on the ball and show what I can do. What I do at Motherwell, is why I'm here.' Having done that Miller is now looking to get his first start under his belt against Liechtenstein tomorrow evening. While other, more experienced, players are desperate to look out the flip flops, Miller only wants to pull on his boots. At every opportunity. He said: 'That's the plan. You want to get your first cap then you want to get a second as quick as you can. That'll be the plan, to maybe get a wee start. 'Obviously you want to play no matter when you get called up. Last time was trying to take everything in and take that back to Motherwell to try and win another call-up and get here to make my debut. 'Thankfully I did that.'
