Fabio Wardley came out on top of a heavyweight war with Joseph Parker, winning in London to earn a fight against undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Wardley was a considerable underdog against former world champion Parker, who was expected to use his experience to continue an impressive run of form against some of the division’s heaviest hitters.
Both men appeared hurt during proceedings, with Wardley stamping his authority during a blistering round two to prove his power is not over-hyped. Parker recovered, however, and was building up a healthy points lead until he was caught in the eleventh and wobbled significantly.
The New Zealander failed to throw back for a sustained period, but did manage to throw one shot which could have bought him some time. Not in the eyes of referee Howard Foster, who stepped in to wave the fight off after another barrage from Wardley – a decision many in the sport have branded too early.
In the aftermath, Wardley campmate and rising star Moses Itauma said:
“It doesn’t surprise me. I had Fabio to stop him quite late, but I didn’t think the fight was going to be so one-sided for Parker before Fabio got the knockout. There’s a saying in our gym that a knockout happens way before it actually happens, it’s the prep for the knockout. It’s impressive for Fabio to come out of that. It’s his heart, grit, determination. You have to admire it.”
On the potential of a fight, Itauma said it was unlikely for obvious reasons.
“It’s an awkward position we’re in but I don’t see Fabio as a rival. I see him as a team member. I’m not in competition with any of them boys. They’re my stablemates. I can admire and take inspiration from what he’s done today. I expected Fabio to be like that, he was losing most of the rounds and a lot of the shots was flying over Parker’s shoulder, but a quick change of tactics and that’s all she wrote.”
The Ipswich man has now reached heights few expected of him, and will look to continue that fairytale in 2026 against generational great, Usyk.
