Parker vs Wardley live: Fight updates and results after controversial knockout sets up Usyk heavyweight title match
The Briton claimed the WBO interim heavyweight title with an 11th round stoppage to set up a meeting with Oleksandr Usyk
British heavyweight Fabio Wardley pulled off the biggest win of his career with an enormous upset over Joseph Parker to set up a world title shot against Oleksandr Usyk.
In a pulsating contest at the O2 Arena, Wardley showed he has one of the toughest chins in the sport as he swallowed several huge punches from Parker before forcing referee Howard Foster to stop the bout in an explosive 11th round.
The WBO had ordered the experienced Parker to face undisputed world heavyweight champion Usyk in July but the New Zealander put his mandatory challenger status on the line against Wardley, who was still involved in white-collar boxing when his opponent was world champion in 2016.
Parker promised to be a "different level" to the 30-year-old and that appeared the case for much of the bout in London.
Wardley seemed to have missed out on the chance to stop the bout in a back-and-forth second round and it appeared a sliding doors moment for the Ipswich right-hander.
Yet, after Parker could not get his rival out, Wardley roared back with a huge right to wobble the New Zealand in the 11th and a flurry of further punches forced a dramatic stoppage to continue his fairytale story in the sport.
Relive all the action and results from Parker vs Wardley and the undercard, below.
Questions arising from Fabio Wardley's win over Joseph Parker
The heavyweight order has been shaken up once again, with Fabio Wardley jumping the queue by pinching Joseph Parker’s WBO interim heavyweight title.
Now the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed throne, there are a few things left unclear.
Firstly, whether Fabio Wardley is now a ‘unified’ interim champion - mention of his WBA interim title disappeared in the build-up to fight night.
More pressingly for Wardley will be the question of when he gets to face Usyk inside the ring. The Ukrainian had halted talks with Parker over injury earlier this year, and it remains to be seen when Usyk will be ready for his next challenger.
Fabio Wardley previews Oleksandr Usyk fight
“I don’t know how I put it into words, that’s always been the goal and objective, we’re there,” Wardley says.
“One of the generational talents, one of the best to do it, all the marbles, there’s nothing more I could want. All I ask for is the opportunity, I’m not planning to stop here.
“Get in the ring with Usyk and say, ‘thanks for having me’ and rolling over.
“When that bell goes, me and Usyk get in the ring, he’s going to have to work for it.
“Wembley is the dream, but I don’t know, I’d like to overseas, somewhere bigger? America? I’d like to go there, but in my back garden, I don’t care, tell him the directions to Ipswich.”
Wardley victory sets up another Brit to fight Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk strikes fear into the heart of any heavyweight, but British fighters will be well aware of the Ukrainian’s record against boxers from Blighty.
Derek Chisora, Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, and Anthony Joshua can all attest to Usyk’s power and quality - and now it appears that Fabio Wardley will be the next British heavyweight to test the Ukrainian.
Fabio Wardley celebrates win over Joseph Parker
Fabio Wardley improves unbeaten record
Fabio Wardley’s record now stands at 20-0-1, with an impressive 19 knockouts.
That gives the 30-year-old a KO ratio of 90%.
Former world champion Joseph Parker slinks away after risking it all - his CV now reads 36-4 (24 KOs).
It is the second time in Parker’s professional career that he has been stopped - when Joe Joyce stopped him in the 11th round of their 2022 contest.
Derek Chisora defends Parker v Wardley stoppage
“Wardley is my guy, I’ve had more rounds with Wardley than anybody else in boxing,” Chisora tells Seconds Out.
“I called it, I said Wardley wins this. Parker had to lose weight, he had too much weight, he was chubby, not fit enough. He needed to do more.
“The reason why he won this fight, Parker let him, Usyk won’t, he’ll make you work when you don’t want to work. So many breaks in there.
“Usyk doesn’t let you regroup, totally different. The ref is the only person in the ring watching their eyes, we cannot say anything, I’m happy they stopped it at the right time so he can go back to hid wife and kids. The ref did exactly what he’s meant to do.”
Joseph Parker has 'no regrets' over taking Fabio Wardley fight
“He caught me with a few shots, he put on a good performance, but when you get caught, it’s boxing,” Parker adds.
“I felt fine when they stopped the fight, but I’m not the referee, I wanted to carry on, of course.
“It sucks to lose a fight, not pretending I’m happy, but life goes on. Boxing is what I do, but I’m blessed with kids and a family, regroup, then see what comes next.
“I don’t regret anything I do, boxing is just part of what I do, I’m blessed with a family and a wonderful team. It’s just a bump in the road. I felt good out there.”
Joseph Parker hits out at referee for Fabio Wardley stoppage
“I didn’t feel like it [got away from me]. The ref stopped the fight, I felt like I could keep going on, he saw enough, but I have to accept the result. Two shots hurt me, but I was still aware and wanted to carry on,” Parker told Seconds Out.
“Of course, I was hurting him, he was good, took a few shots here and there, he’s a warrior. He won the fight, he’s onto another big event and fight.
“I want to carry on, if I can get a rematch, then awesome, it’ll be great to run this back.”
Joseph Parker extends outstanding resume despite Fabio Wardley defeat
Joseph Parker has faced some of the very best heavyweights of his era, it feels cruel to deny him another crack at the world title, but his resume is outstanding all the same:
- Anthony Joshua
- Deontay Wilder
- Andy Ruiz
- Dillian Whyte
- Zhilei Zhang
- Derek Chisora
- Martin Bakole
- Joe Joyce
- Fabio Wardley
Frank Warren confirms heavyweight equation for Fabio Wardley
More from Frank Warren after the fight: "It was an all-time great heavyweight fight, we always knew it would be.
“It only takes one second to be beaten, he turned the fight around. It is Usyk, if he doesn't do it, he'll be stripped. That's it, it's where we are.”
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