🔗 Share this article

Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to destroy Joseph Parker's aspirations of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in position for a chance at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stunning Comeback Victory

The British fighter is now the top contender for the Ukrainian after he secured a stunning comeback victory by stopping the seasoned New Zealander in the penultimate round of an exciting and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, won the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled referee Howard Foster to end the bout as he swarmed ex world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in jubilation as his support crew flooded into the ring to mark the victory.

They were magnificent scenes as the former white-collar boxer maintained his outstanding rise in the professional ranks.

Controversial Stoppage

There was an discussion that the intervention was premature, especially given Parker had commanded for large parts of the fight and injured Wardley multiple occasions with powerful rights.

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

Wardley's After-Match Comments

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

"All praise to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the respect from the boxing community. He accepted 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 turned the bout firmly back in benefit of the longshot.

This was Wardley's 20th career win and his most important. Usyk now potentially awaits early next year.

Parker endangered his ranking as the primary contender for Usyk's crown by undertaking this fight, dropping to his fourth pro defeat.

Promoter's Assured Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren stated to DAZN: "Usyk declared he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a half-hour fight and it only requires one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Continues

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

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

Wardley proceeded to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town hues with the football club's badge featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He commented in the preparation how it was amazing that when Parker was claiming the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only competing in white-collar boxing.

Yet here he was on the identical platform as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to decide the next challenger for Usyk, the greatest heavyweight of this era.

Fight Description

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

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

The finish to the first three minutes was decisive from the favorite as Parker charged through with a strong of a right hand.

Thrilling 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 beautiful shot and brought those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unstable on his.

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting 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 specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat.

The fight appeared to be losing steam in the eighth before it burst back into life and swung firmly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th.

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

It may have been early but Wardley will contend that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Usyk sought a medical dispensation to delay his compulsory defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the perfect champion was set to face the successful fighter of this bout.

Warren will now look to organize 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 inexperienced and his ascent to this standing has been considerably accelerated.

But now he is in a situation to take on the best heavyweight of this era which is a dramatic tale.

Parker's Future Considerations

Parker will now have to carefully evaluate his next step, given his age and how long he has been competing at the highest level.

He accepted a significant gamble here and his opportunities of winning back a piece of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.