🔗 Share this article

Fabio Wardley pulled off a massive upset to wreck Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and put himself in position for a opportunity at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he earned a stunning comeback victory by halting the seasoned New Zealander in the 11th round of an entertaining and physical battle at London's O2 Arena.

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

Emotional Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in triumph as his corner team flooded into the ring to celebrate.

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

Debated Stoppage

There was an discussion that the stoppage was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and hurt Wardley numerous times with straight rights.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little objection when Foster intervened and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to remonstrate as his man experienced his fourth professional defeat.

Wardley's Victory Comments

"I stated all the way through this build-up that we picked Joseph Parker because I think I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," commented Wardley.

"All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he deserves all the esteem from the boxing fraternity. He took a chance when he didn't have to, and we knew he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and ultimately we got them out of there."

Turning Point

It was a right-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout clearly back in favour of the underdog.

This was Wardley's twentieth professional win and his most crucial. Usyk now potentially awaits early next year.

Parker endangered his standing as the top contender for Usyk's crown by taking this fight, declining to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Confident 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 needs one second from him."

Wardley's Incredible Journey Continues

It was a elite group 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 decked out in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's badge featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

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

Yet here he was on the same stage as the veteran Kiwi in a fight to establish the next challenger for Usyk, the top heavyweight of this generation.

Fight Analysis

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a winning run coming into this bout of six successful fights including wins 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 stiff of a jab that soon brought blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

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

Exciting Momentum Shift

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

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

The experience of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was landing the better shots through the central rounds.

Closing Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a notable feature, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk.

The fight looked to be losing steam in the eighth before it erupted back into life and shifted clearly back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

He ensured his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a flurry of shots which compelled Foster to step in.

It may have been early but Wardley will argue that Parker was taking considerable punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk requested a medical dispensation to defer his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently verified that the unbeaten champion was prepared to face the successful fighter of this bout.

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

Fast Ascent to the Top

With just 21 professional fights on the back of no amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still unpolished and his ascent to this standing has been considerably accelerated.

But now he is in a situation to challenge the top heavyweight of this era which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

Parker will now have to carefully think about his next step, given his age and how long he has been participating at the top level.

He took a huge risk here and his opportunities of regaining a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.