The sport of boxing is 'Something Something' as it always has something that even the connoisseurs of the sport find difficult to comprehend. Josep
The sport of boxing is ‘Something Something’ as it always has something that even the connoisseurs of the sport find difficult to comprehend.
Joseph Parker was the red-hot favourite to win against Fabio Wardley to set up a clash against the undefeated Ukrainian superstar, Oleksandr Usyk, but he got stunned, unbelievably stunned.
Fabio Wardley, 30, delivered a stunning 11th-round stoppage of Joseph Parker at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night, earning a mandatory shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed heavyweight crown.
In one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the year, Fabio Wardley overcame a points deficit to stop Joseph Parker in the 11th round of their interim heavyweight title clash.
The British fighter, who once began his career in white-collar boxing, absorbed heavy punishment throughout the bout but refused to back down.
Parker, the more experienced campaigner and former WBO champion, appeared to be cruising on the scorecards, leading 98-92 and 96-94 on two of them.
But Wardley’s resilience and punching power came to the fore in the championship rounds, culminating in a relentless assault that forced referee Howard Foster to wave off the contest.
The victory not only handed Wardley the WBO interim title but also positioned him as the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning undisputed heavyweight champion.
Usyk had previously been ordered to face Parker, but the Kiwi’s decision to risk his status against Wardley backfired spectacularly.
Wardley, now boasting a record of 20-0-1 with 19 knockouts, called out Usyk immediately after the fight, declaring his readiness to challenge the Ukrainian maestro.
“What I lack in experience I make up for with chin and heart,” Wardley said, emphasising the grit that carried him through the brutal contest.
The bout itself was a pulsating affair, with momentum swinging between the two fighters.
Parker landed several clean shots early, testing Wardley’s durability, but the Briton’s granite chin held firm.
As the fight wore on, Wardley began to find openings, particularly in the 10th round when he visibly hurt Parker.
That set the stage for the explosive 11th round, where Wardley unleashed a barrage of punches that left Parker defenceless.
The stoppage was met with mixed reactions, with some calling it premature, but few could deny the ferocity of Wardley’s finish.
Wardley’s rise from recruitment consultant to world title contender is one of boxing’s most compelling stories.
Plucked from obscurity by Dillian Whyte, he has defied expectations at every turn.
With a showdown against Usyk now looming, Wardley faces the ultimate test against one of the sport’s most technically gifted champions.
Whether he can dethrone Usyk remains to be seen, but his victory over Parker has already cemented his place among the elite of the heavyweight division.
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