The O2 Arena took a piece of Fabio Wardley’s soul when he first went to war with Frazer Clarke – that brutal, unforgettable bloodbath that made him a cult hero. The arena returned it to Fabio Wardley tonight, under the same lights. In one of the most extraordinary nights in British boxing, Wardley did the unthinkable: he stopped Joseph Parker.They said he had a puncher’s chance. Parker was said to be too polished, experienced, and smart. Fabio Wardley’s career has been rewriting expectations. Few thought he would be able to climb the next mountain after being outboxed and then finding an equaliser by Justis Huni. Wardley was determined to win from the start. Wardley may have been reckless at times, yet he was able to get the job done. The referee had no choice but to end the fight in the eleventh round. Usyk holds the WBO title, as well as being the Ring Magazine, unified, and Ring Magazine heavyweight champ. Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley went toe-to-toe at the O2 in London on Saturday night Wardley (right) stopped the New Zealander (left) in the 11th round of their fight Usyk pictured celebrating holding the IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO belts after beating Dubois in their heavyweight rematch at Wembley Stadium on July 19 Under the governing bodies’ system, the WBO is next in line to call a mandatory defence. The order was issued originally in July but the plans were delayed due to Usyk’s injury. There had been speculation about Usyk giving up his titles for a fight with Anthony Joshua, or even a match with Tyson Fury. Queensberry promoter Frank Warren, however, has denied these claims and has announced that he will be fighting Wardley in the near future. As for this evening’s contest, the fans were loving every second of the early exchanges. Wardley, who was brave, aggressive and determined, came out to fight in the second round. Wardley landed right hands and thunderous uppercuts in round two, wobbling the New Zealander. War ensued in round three with Parker landing an explosive body shot heard by the crowd. Wardley reacted to every move made by the Kiwi. Wardley, 30, walked on to several shots while Parker sprinted forward in the 5th round. However, few of them seemed to phase him. In the sixth round, both men lost their lower lip. The intensity of the fight started to take its toll. Wardley stopping Parker under bright lights in London. Daniel Dubois spotted at ringside to support the Queensberry Event. Tyson Fury also spotted at ringside to support Parker at the O2. Wardley pulled out straight in the eighth round and landed a right hand that thudded, but was caught by Parker on the counter. Parker refused to let up in the ninth, and hunted Wardley down. Ipswich man, with experience beyond his age, took hold of the Kiwi, and guided him back to the corner to listen to Ben Davison. Wardley opened the tenth round, breaking through Parker’s defence, after ending the ninth by shaking his heads. Wardley, who had just shaken his head at the end of the ninth round, opened the 10th with an uppercut that broke through Parker’s guard. Parker, the consummate craftsman who once lifted a world title when Wardley was still fighting white-collar bouts, looked shaken by the sheer ferocity of Fabio’s will. The O2 was in chaos as the stoppage came with a thunderclap. Fabio Wardley, the man who came from the unlicensed scene in Ipswich, had just dismantled a former world champion on one of boxing’s grandest stages.It wasn’t just a win – it was a statement. A story that belongs among the sport’s most improbable. From the white-collar gyms of Ipswich to the edge of heavyweight stardom, Wardley now stands on the doorstep of destiny.And if Oleksandr Usyk was watching, he’ll know this much – Fabio Wardley isn’t just a puncher anymore. He’s a problem.
2025-10-26 00:24:48
Fabio Wardley STOPS Joseph Parker to set up undisputed title clash with Oleksandr Usyk
