Published: Saturday 25 October 2025, 23:45 BST
Fabio Wardley just delivered the defining win of his career, stopping Joseph Parker by TKO in Round 11 at The O2 in London. The Ipswich heavyweight finished the tense fight, pouring on pressure to force the referee to wave it off and seize the interim belts that now put him on the doorstep of the great Oleksandr Usyk.
However, many fans are speculating that it was an unfair, early stoppage for Joseph Parker, who immediately left the ring after Wardley was handed the belt. Joseph Parker had been hurt worse earlier in the fight with wobbly legs and not protecting himself. However it it hard to question Fabio Wardley’s immense power and iron chin, also proven in the fight against Justis Hunni. Parker didnt possess the power to wobble Wardley in the first 11 rounds, would it have been different in the last round of the fight?
Will Wardley fight Usyk next?
This was billed as an eliminator in all but name. With the WBO and WBA interim stakes attached to the matchup, the winner moves closer to a world title shot. Wardley now sits in prime position for a 2026 challenge with Usyk.
How Wardley beat Parker
From the opening bell Parker tried to establish control with his jab and steady feet, keeping the centre and working at a measured pace. That approach looked effective through the early and middle rounds, with Parker’s cleaner work and ring generalship giving him a lead on most scorecards, which most pundits predicted.
However Wardley remained dangerous throughout. He looked for counters over the jab and began investing in head and body work whenever he could close the range. The momentum never settled with either fighter. However in the later rounds Parker’s heavier frame did seem to slow him down, allowing for a light and powerful Wardley to work his magic.
In Round 11 Parker was feeling the pressure, trapped on the ropes as Wardley’s right hand and combinations began breaking through. Wardley accelerated behind heavy shots, forced Parker into survival mode, and refused to let him off the hook. After a sustained barrage the referee stepped in to wave it off, confirming Wardley as the winner by TKO.
Undercard highlights of Parker V Wardley
- Juergen Uldedaj def. Rolly Lambert – unanimous decision for the IBO cruiserweight title.
- Ezra Taylor def. Steed Woodall – TKO Round 9 (corner stoppage) at light heavyweight.
- Royston Barney-Smith def. Danny Quartermaine – unanimous decision.
- Mitchell Smith def. Arnie Dawson – unanimous decision to claim the WBO European lightweight title.
What’s next
- Fabio Wardley: Likely to be upgraded in both the WBO and WBA rankings. Talks will soon begin about a potential world title eliminator or a final step before facing Oleksandr Usyk.
- Joseph Parker: Still among the elite heavyweights and expected to rebuild quickly. A rematch or a bout against another top-ten opponent remains realistic for 2026.
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