🔗 Share this article Great Britain's Wardley Stops Parker in Major Heavyweight Surprise Fabio Wardley preserved his perfect record, advancing to 20 victories and one draw Published: 26 October 2025 Comments: 106 Fabio Wardley secured a huge upset to shatter Joseph Parker's hopes of securing a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in line for a opportunity at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk. Remarkable Comeback Victory The British fighter is now the primary contender for the Ukrainian after he earned a remarkable comeback victory by stopping the veteran New Zealander in the penultimate round of an exciting and tough battle at London's O2 Arena. Wardley, 30, secured the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to end the bout as he attacked previous world champion Parker, who had been significantly damaged in the 10th by a right uppercut. Powerful Celebration The Ipswich native got the crowd to their feet and collapsed to the floor in jubilation as his corner team piled into the ring to rejoice. They were magnificent scenes as the previous white-collar boxer extended his extraordinary rise in the professional ranks. Debated Stoppage There was an debate that the stoppage was premature, especially given Parker had controlled for significant portions of the fight and injured Wardley multiple occasions with straight rights. But the 33-year-old New Zealander offered little protest when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to protest as his man endured his fourth pro defeat. Wardley's Post-Fight Comments "I stated all the way through this lead-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 admiration and he merits all the admiration from the boxing fraternity. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to select our spots and finally we got them out of there." Critical Moment It was a right-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout firmly back in benefit of the underdog. This was Wardley's twentieth professional win and his most crucial. Usyk now likely awaits early next year. Parker risked his position as the top contender for Usyk's crown by taking this fight, dropping to his fourth career defeat. Promoter's Confident Outlook Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed DAZN: "Usyk stated he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a 36-minute fight and it only requires one second from him." Wardley's Incredible Journey Progresses Wardley watched Parker's world title fight against Anthony Joshua in 2018 from a bar It was a who's who of the British heavyweight category 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 proceeded to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's badge featured on his kit. Notable Career Progression He remarked in the build-up how it was amazing that when Parker was claiming the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only fighting in white-collar boxing. Yet here he was on the equivalent level as the veteran Kiwi in a fight to establish 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 wins over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole. As cries of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker secured control with a stiff of a jab that soon produced blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose. The conclusion to the first three minutes was forceful from the favorite as Parker charged through with a strong of a right hand. Dramatic Momentum Shift Parker's control disappeared when a right hand from Wardley rocked him in the second. It would be a harbinger to what would follow 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 experience of Parker, in his 40th professional fight, looked like it was going to be crucial here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the middle rounds. Final Rounds and Victory The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a particular highlight, but Wardley's own backhand remained a threat. The fight appeared to be waning in the eighth before it burst back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's favor in the 10th. He made sure his amazing story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a volley of shots which pressured Foster to intervene. It may have been premature but Wardley will argue that Parker was taking substantial punishment. Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley? Wardley has 19 stoppages in 20 wins, having a ninety-five percent KO rate Usyk requested a medical dispensation to defer his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his consultant Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the unbeaten champion was prepared to face the winner of this bout. Warren will now look to organize that fight next year for his man. Fast Ascent to the Top With just twenty-one career fights on the back of without amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his rise to this level has been substantially fast tracked. But now he is in a position to take on the best heavyweight of this era which is a dramatic tale. Parker's Future Considerations Parker will now have to thoughtfully think about his next step, given his age and how long he has been participating at the top level. He took a significant risk here and his chances of reclaiming a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.