British boxer Fabio Wardley achieved a significant victory by defeating Joseph Parker in a surprising upset, securing a future world title opportunity against Oleksandr Usyk. The intense match at the O2 Arena showcased Wardley’s resilience as he absorbed powerful blows from Parker before ultimately forcing referee Howard Foster to stop the fight in the explosive 11th round.
Although the WBO had mandated Parker to face Usyk, the New Zealander risked his mandatory challenger status by taking on Wardley, who transitioned from white-collar boxing while Parker was already a world champion in 2016. Despite Parker’s initial confidence in being superior to the 30-year-old Wardley, the bout in London proved to be a challenging contest. Wardley missed opportunities to finish the fight decisively in the second and tenth rounds, but he staged a remarkable comeback in the 11th round, landing a powerful right punch that staggered Parker and ultimately led to a dramatic stoppage.
Wardley’s journey to this victory included a remarkable 10th-round knockout against Justin Huni at Portman Road in June, where he triumphed despite being behind on the judges’ scorecards. The prospect of facing Usyk loomed large for Wardley, who seized the opportunity to continue his impressive rise in the sport.
Although Usyk was absent from the event, notable figures in the heavyweight division such as Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, and Moses Itauma were present at ringside. The evening also featured the announcement of a December fight between veteran fighters Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte. Wardley entered the ring to face Parker amidst a charged atmosphere, receiving support from Fury before the fight commenced.
The match unfolded with Parker displaying his experience early on, landing several blows in the first round. Wardley, however, responded aggressively in round two, targeting Parker’s body before delivering a significant right hand that shook his opponent. Despite Parker’s resilience, Wardley continued to press forward, eliciting excitement from the crowd with his offensive display.
As the fight progressed, Parker gained control in the middle rounds, landing a powerful right on Wardley in the seventh round. Wardley faced adversity in subsequent rounds but managed to survive, showcasing his determination. In the pivotal 11th round, Wardley unleashed a series of punches following a decisive right that staggered Parker, prompting the referee to intervene and award Wardley the victory.
The conclusion of the match marked another remarkable chapter in Wardley’s career as he earned the opportunity to challenge Usyk for the undisputed world heavyweight title in the future.