Wardley's Late Onslaught Sparks Debate as Referee Stops Parker Fight, Granting Him WBO Interim Title

LONDON – Fabio Wardley secured a dramatic, yet contentious, technical knockout victory over Joseph Parker in the eleventh round of their heavyweight clash at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night. The win earned Wardley the WBO interim heavyweight title, catapulting him into the upper echelons of the division and potentially positioning him for a future shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed heavyweight crown.

The fight, a high-stakes encounter for both men, unfolded as a tactical battle, with Parker, a former WBO heavyweight champion, seemingly controlling the pace and outboxing Wardley for the majority of the contest. However, Wardley’s relentless pressure and devastating power proved decisive in the late stages, culminating in a flurry of punches that prompted referee Steve Gray to step in and halt the action.

The stoppage, however, was immediately met with criticism, with many observers arguing that Parker was still capable of defending himself and deserved the opportunity to continue. Replays showed that several of Wardley’s punches in the final sequence failed to land cleanly, further fueling the controversy.

Parker, a seasoned veteran of the heavyweight division, entered the fight on a remarkable run of form, having revitalized his career with a series of impressive victories in Saudi Arabia. He had defeated former world champion Deontay Wilder in December 2023, a significant win that re-established him as a serious contender. He also secured victories over Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole, showcasing his adaptability and resilience. Parker’s recent resurgence was particularly noteworthy given his earlier struggles, which included losses to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

Wardley, on the other hand, had been steadily building his reputation as a powerful and exciting fighter. His previous fight against Justis Huni mirrored the Parker bout in many ways, with Wardley absorbing punishment and trailing on the scorecards before unleashing a late knockout blow. That fight, which took place in August 2023, saw Huni effectively use his superior boxing skills to outmaneuver Wardley for much of the contest. However, Wardley’s raw power proved to be the difference, as he landed a devastating right hand in the tenth round to secure the victory.

The fight against Parker presented a significant step up in competition for Wardley, who had primarily faced domestic-level opponents prior to his clash with Huni. Parker’s experience and pedigree made him a formidable challenge, and many analysts predicted a tough night for the Ipswich native.

From the opening bell, Parker established his jab and controlled the distance, preventing Wardley from effectively utilizing his power. Parker’s superior footwork and ring generalship allowed him to dictate the tempo of the fight and land clean punches throughout the early rounds. Wardley, known for his aggressive style, struggled to close the gap and often found himself on the receiving end of Parker’s accurate combinations.

As the fight progressed, Parker continued to frustrate Wardley with his movement and counter-punching. He consistently landed jabs and right hands, keeping Wardley at bay and accumulating points on the scorecards. Wardley, however, remained undeterred, absorbing the punishment and continuing to press forward, searching for an opening to unleash his power.

The middle rounds saw a slight shift in momentum, as Wardley began to find some success with his jab and occasional right hands. He managed to close the distance more frequently, forcing Parker to engage in closer exchanges. However, Parker’s experience and defensive skills allowed him to weather the storm and continue to land his own punches.

In the tenth round, Parker appeared to be tiring, and Wardley sensed an opportunity to capitalize. He increased his pressure, landing several hard punches that momentarily stunned Parker. However, Parker managed to survive the round, using his experience to clinch and avoid further damage.

The eleventh round began with Wardley on the offensive, determined to finish the fight. He cornered Parker against the ropes and unleashed a barrage of punches, some of which landed cleanly, while others appeared to miss. Referee Steve Gray, observing Parker’s apparent distress, stepped in to stop the fight, awarding Wardley the TKO victory.

The decision was immediately met with boos from the crowd, many of whom felt that Parker was still capable of defending himself and deserved the opportunity to continue. Parker himself protested the stoppage, arguing that he was not seriously hurt and could have continued fighting.

"I was hurt, but I wasn’t out," Parker said in a post-fight interview. "I thought the referee stopped it a bit early. I’m disappointed, but I’ll be back."

Wardley, while acknowledging the controversy surrounding the stoppage, defended his performance and expressed his desire to face the top heavyweights in the division.

"I knew I had to dig deep and find something special," Wardley said. "Parker is a tough fighter, but I knew I could break him down. I’m ready for anyone next."

The victory improves Wardley’s record to 20-0-1, with 19 knockouts, and solidifies his position as a rising force in the heavyweight division. As the WBO interim champion, he is now in line for a potential shot at the full title, currently held by Oleksandr Usyk.

For Parker, the loss is a setback, but not a career-ending one. At 32 years old, he still has time to regroup and rebuild. A rematch with Wardley is a distinct possibility, and Parker will be eager to avenge the controversial defeat and reclaim his place among the heavyweight elite.

The controversy surrounding the stoppage will undoubtedly fuel debate in the boxing world for weeks to come. While Wardley’s power and determination cannot be questioned, the manner of the victory has left a lingering sense of dissatisfaction among many observers. Whether Parker deserved the benefit of the doubt in the eleventh round will remain a matter of contention, but the fight has undoubtedly raised Wardley’s profile and set the stage for a potentially exciting future in the heavyweight division. The statistics and context leading to the bout suggest that Parker was the favorite based on experience and recent form, yet Wardley’s power proved to be the deciding factor.