Britain’s Fabio Wardley produced the performance of his career on Saturday night, stopping New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in the 11th round at London’s O2 Arena to book a dream showdown with undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk,MySportDab Reports.
Wardley, 30, entered the ring unbeaten in 20 professional fights, but his credentials faced their biggest test yet against the experienced Parker.
For much of the contest, the New Zealander’s power and precision kept Wardley under pressure, leaving many to believe he was trailing on the scorecards.
Yet, in a stunning turnaround, the Ipswich-born fighter unleashed a series of brutal hooks in the 11th round that sent Parker reeling against the ropes.
Referee Howard Foster stepped in to halt the fight, sealing Wardley’s 19th career knockout and perhaps the biggest victory of his life.
With the win, Wardley claimed Parker’s WBO interim belt and became the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s unified titles. “I have one thing to say: Usyk! Usyk!” Wardley declared post-fight. “We picked Parker because I believe I’m at the top — and tonight, I proved it.”
Promoter Frank Warren confirmed plans for a Usyk–Wardley bout, calling Wardley’s rise “a phenomenal story in boxing.” He added, “For someone with no amateur background to beat a former world champion like that — Ipswich should be proud. It’s edge-of-your-seat stuff.”
Wardley’s remarkable ascent from white-collar boxing to world-title contention now sets up one of the most unexpected heavyweight clashes in recent memory — and perhaps a defining moment in British boxing history.
