Fabio Wardley and Joseph Parker put on a tremendous show at the O2 Arena in London, with Wardley scoring another career-best victory by stopping the former heavyweight titlist in the 11th round of their
excellent main event fight.
But since this is boxing, there’s no lack of argument about an outcome. Referee Howard Foster should probably prepare for an avalanche of public criticism, as his decision on when to stop the bout — officially 1:54 of round 11 for the Wardley TKO — is going to be heavily questioned.
Understandably so, too. In a fight where Parker (36-4, 24 KO) was rightly ahead on the cards, with so much on the line for both fighters — including a possible 2026 fight with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk — you’re not going to get much room to get anything wrong. And it’s entirely arguable that Foster chose the wrong time to end the fight. Though Parker had been hurt and reeling in the round, Wardley’s flurry of punches was slowing down, the most recent efforts hadn’t landed, and Parker looked aware.
Others will likely argue that Parker simply needed to throw more in return, and maybe they’re right. As this is boxing, pretty much all officiating concerns, from referees to judges, are up to interpretation.
The ending should not overshadow the fight, though. Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KO) has emerged as one of the most unlikely, unexpected, and thrilling heavyweight contenders in years. A man who started as a white collar hobbyist has won the British heavyweight title, Commonwealth heavyweight title, and now an interim WBO world heavyweight title, making the case as best he can for a shot to go after undisputed gold against an all-time legend of the sport next year.
Wardley and Parker both displayed incredible determination, toughness, and monstrous punch resistance, as neither of them actually went down but both were hurt repeatedly, and pretty much always less than you’d expect given the heft and velocity of some of the punches they were landing.
As for the cards, one judge had it even, 95-95, while the other two had it 96-94 and 98-92 for Parker. Bad Left Hook unofficially had it 96-94 for Parker.
Wardley directly called out Usyk after the fight.
