GB's Wardley Halts Parker in Major Heavyweight Shock

Fabio Wardley celebration — Fabio Wardley kept his undefeated record, improving to 20 wins and one draw

Published: 26 October 2025
Comments: 106

Fabio Wardley secured a major upset to shatter Joseph Parker's dreams of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and placed himself in contention for a shot at undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Impressive Comeback Victory

The UK fighter is now the number one contender for the Ukrainian after he earned a impressive comeback victory by ending the veteran New Zealander in the penultimate round of an entertaining and tough battle at London's O2 Arena.

Wardley, 30, secured the WBO 'interim' title when he compelled referee Howard Foster to end the bout as he swarmed former world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut.

Dramatic Celebration

The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and fell to the floor in triumph as his training team piled into the ring to celebrate.

They were magnificent scenes as the former white-collar boxer continued his extraordinary rise in the pro circuit.

Controversial Stoppage

There was an debate that the stoppage was early, especially given Parker had controlled for large parts of the fight and damaged Wardley numerous times with right hands.

But the 33-year-old New Zealander provided little objection when Foster stepped forward and his trainer Andy Lee did not seem to object as his man endured his fourth career defeat.

Wardley's After-Match Comments

"I said all the way through this preparation that we picked Joseph Parker because I feel I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," said Wardley.

"All credit to Joseph, he can't get enough respect and he earns all the esteem from the boxing fraternity. He undertook a chance when he didn't have to, and we realized he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and eventually we got them out of there."

Critical Moment

It was a right-handed uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which turned the bout clearly back in benefit of the underdog.

This was Wardley's 20th career win and his most significant. Usyk now potentially awaits early next year.

Parker gambled his standing as the top contender for Usyk's crown by taking this fight, falling to his fourth professional defeat.

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told DAZN: "Usyk declared he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a half-hour fight and it only requires one second from him."

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Continues

Wardley watching previous fight — Wardley watched Parker's world title fight against Anthony Joshua in 2018 from a public house

It was a who's who of the British heavyweight division in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the onlookers.

Usyk was not here, but he was the man this bout was all for.

Wardley walked to the ring adorned in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's badge featured on his kit.

Significant Career Progression

He spoke in the build-up how it was extraordinary 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 identical platform as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this period.

Fight Description

With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a winning run coming into this bout of six successful fights including wins over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

As shouts of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' rang around the arena, Parker gained control with a powerful of a jab that soon produced blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose.

The conclusion to the first three minutes was emphatic from the expected winner as Parker stormed through with a powerful of a right hand.

Dramatic Momentum Shift

Parker's control evaporated when a right hand from Wardley rocked him in the second.

It would be a harbinger to what would happen later in the fight. It was a beautiful shot and raised those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked shaky on his.

The knowledge of Parker, in his 40th career fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always risky, but Parker was hitting the better shots through the central rounds.

Final Rounds and Victory

The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a specific strength, but Wardley's own backhand remained a danger.

The fight looked to be losing steam in the eighth before it burst back into life and turned decisively back in Wardley's favour in the 10th.

He ensured his stunning story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a volley of shots which forced Foster to act.

It may have been premature but Wardley will claim that Parker was taking substantial punishment.

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Wardley knockout statistics — Wardley has 19 KOs in 20 victories, having a 95% stoppage rate

Usyk applied for a medical exception to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his representative Serge Lapin recently confirmed that the perfect champion was prepared to face the victor of this bout.

Warren will now look to arrange that fight next year for his man.

Rapid Ascent to the Top

With just 21 pro fights on the back of no amateur background having come from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still raw and his ascent to this standing has been considerably fast tracked.

But now he is in a place to take on the top heavyweight of this generation which is a cinematic tale.

Parker's Future Thoughts

Parker will now have to deliberately think about his next step, given his age and how long he has been fighting at the highest level.

He undertook a significant risk here and his prospects of regaining a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been reduced.

GB's Wardley Halts Parker in Major Heavyweight Shock

Impressive Comeback Victory

Dramatic Celebration

Controversial Stoppage

Wardley's After-Match Comments

Critical Moment

Promoter's Confident Outlook

Wardley's Remarkable Journey Continues

Significant Career Progression

Fight Description

Dramatic Momentum Shift

Final Rounds and Victory

Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley?

Rapid Ascent to the Top

Parker's Future Thoughts

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