Fabio Wardley earned his shot at Oleksandr Usyk with an astonishing slugfest victory over Joseph Parker at the O2 Arena, claiming the interim WBO heavyweight title with a breathless 11th-round stoppage.
Parker (36-4, 24 KOs) entered the fight as the form challenger in the division, opting to take on a dangerous assignment when he was next in line for the reigning two-time undisputed champion Usyk thanks to fine wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole.
Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) lost almost every round before detonating his right hand on Justis Huni last time out, but he was competitive throughout this helter-skelter thriller.
Both men were staggered several times as they slung brutal bombs. Parker moved in for the finish during an unrelenting round 10, only to be hurt badly and saved by the bell.
Wardley completed the turnaround in the next stanza as a cut and dazed Parker refused to go down. But he was also unable to either hold or fire back against a fearless competitor who would not be denied. Referee Howard Foster stepped in to wave it off after one minute and 54 seconds of round 11, a decision that will be disputed. The effectiveness of Wardley's warrior qualities, from white-collar fights to the elite of the heavyweight division, are beyond debate.
Both men were quick to flick out sharp jabs, but Parker was the man to establish his lead. One meaty left cut Wardley on the bridge of his nose. Parker then began to mix up the double jab and control the range with his feet.
Towards the end of the opener, Parker stiffened Wardley's legs with a right hook to the head. That encouraged the New Zealander to engage in a firefight, and that overconfidence cost him in the second.
Wardley made his power tell as Parker ate a right uppercut and sagged under the barrage. The New Zealander had blood coming from his mouth and bought some time by spitting his gumshield.
Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Parker appeared to be boxing through a fog in round three. Wardley brought body shots into play before detonating a monster right hand. Parker showed a world-class chin and fired back.
Neglecting, or unable, to use his superior movement, Parker clattered into Wardley on the ropes in the fourth, only to ship some heavy artillery coming back the other way. In the next session, he worked the Wardley body effectively, stepped to the right and landed flush upstairs.
Parker's jab returned, bringing some order to the mayhem. Not too much, though, as he continued to unload the right during round six and caught Wardley with a clipping left hook. Nevertheless, the Englishman remained alive in the exchanges, holding his shape and carrying power.
Wardley's knockout capabilities have made his name, but he once again showed a fantastic chin in the seventh, also having the presence of mind to rock away from a booming Parker right. The former white-collar fighter showed another element to his underrated arsenal as his variety with the jab won him round eight.
A firecracker one-two from Wardley suggested he was in the ascendancy in the ninth, only for Parker to rock his foe to his boots. Wardley sucked it up on the ropes, with Parker smothering his own work slightly. An absorbing session ended with Wardley definitely booming body shots.
Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
The 10th was when Wardley turned Justis Huni's lights out in Ipswich but Parker stiffened him with a crunching right of his own. A thudding counter-right from Parker set up an enthralling final minute of the round. Parker clubbed home right hands and Wardley staggered backwards. The Kiwi came in to close the show only to be badly hurt by Wardley, fighting on guts and instinct, fueled by an uppercut that couldn't miss.
The bell saved Parker and both men looked exhausted when the action resumed in 11. Crucially, Parker was troubled by a fresh cut, leaving himself exposed to a furious Wardley assault.
Foster's stoppage will be questioned because Wardley also looked exhausted in the context of a fight with endless ebbs and flows. But no one can begrudge him this life-changing moment. One of the greatest amateurs of all time could now fight a man with no amateur experience for the greatest prize in the sport. Only in heavyweight boxing.
Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley main card results
- Fabio Wardley def. Joseph Parker (c) for the interim WBO heavyweight title
- Juergen Uldedaj def. Rolly Lambert (UD 12); cruiserweights
- Ezra Taylor def. Steed Woodall (9/10 TKO); light heavyweight title
- Royston Barney-Smith def. Danny Quartermaine (UD 10); super featherweights
- Mitchell Smith def. Arnie Dawson (UD 10); lightweights
Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley start time
- Date: Saturday, October 25
- Start time: 6:40 p.m. BST
- Main event start time (approx.): 10:30 p.m. BST
- Location: O2 Arena - London
Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley tune-in info
- Live Stream: DAZN
- PPV Price: £24.99 (UK)/ $59.99 (US)
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