🔗 Share this article

Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in position for a shot at unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the number one contender for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by ending the veteran New Zealander in the 11th round of an entertaining and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, secured the WBO 'interim' title when he forced referee Howard Foster to stop the bout as he attacked former world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a straight uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in celebration as his training team rushed into the ring to mark the victory.

They were superb scenes as the former white-collar boxer continued his outstanding rise in the boxing world.

Controversial Stoppage

There was an argument that the intervention was premature, especially given Parker had controlled for extended periods of the fight and damaged Wardley multiple occasions with powerful rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little protest when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not appear to protest as his man suffered his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I declared all the way through this lead-up that we chose Joseph Parker because I believe I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he earns all the respect from the boxing fraternity. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to select our spots and finally we got them out of there."

Critical Moment

It was a right-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which shifted the bout firmly back in support of the outsider.

This was Wardley's 20th pro win and his most crucial. Usyk now likely awaits early next year.

Parker risked his position as the primary contender for Usyk's championship by undertaking this fight, declining to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Positive Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told DAZN: "Usyk said he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a 36-minute fight and it only takes one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Progresses

It was a top names of the British heavyweight scene in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the spectators.

Usyk was not here, but he was the man this bout was all for.

Wardley marched to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's emblem emblazoned on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He remarked in the build-up how it was remarkable that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only competing in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the identical platform as the veteran Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this period.

Fight Description

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a red-hot run coming into this bout of six victories including successes over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

As shouts of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang around the arena, Parker established control with a powerful of a jab that soon caused blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The end to the first three minutes was emphatic from the expected winner as Parker powered through with a powerful of a right hand.

Exciting Momentum Shift

Parker's control vanished when a right hand from Wardley shook him in the second.

It would be a forerunner to what would follow later in the fight. It was a beautiful shot and brought those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable on his.

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be vital here. Wardley was always threatening, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the middle rounds.

Last Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat.

The fight looked to be fizzling out in the eighth before it erupted back into life and shifted firmly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

He guaranteed his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he overwhelmed Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which compelled Foster to intervene.

It may have been premature but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking considerable punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical exception to postpone his mandatory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the perfect champion was prepared to face the victor of this bout.

Warren will now look to make that fight next year for his man.

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just twenty-one career fights on the back of no amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his ascent to this position has been considerably accelerated.

But now he is in a place to face the finest heavyweight of this generation which is a Hollywood-like tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

Parker will now have to thoughtfully consider his next step, given his age and how long he has been competing at the top level.

He accepted a huge chance here and his chances of reclaiming a share of the world heavyweight crown have been lessened.