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The O2 Arena took a piece of Fabio Wardley’s soul when he first went to war with Frazer Clarke - that brutal, unforgettable bloodbath that made him a cult hero.
Tonight, under those same lights, the arena gave it back. In one of the most extraordinary nights in British boxing, Wardley did the unthinkable: he stopped Joseph Parker.
They said he had a puncher’s chance. They said Parker was too polished, too seasoned, too smart. But Fabio Wardley has made a career of rewriting expectations.
After being outboxed by Justis Huni before finding that one equaliser to flip the script, few believed he could climb this next mountain. Yet, as he has done every time, he proved the doubters wrong - brutally, beautifully, and completely.
From the opening bell, Wardley fought with purpose. Yes, a little reckless at times but he got the job done - forcing the referee to wave the contest off in the 11th round of their eliminator.
As a result, Wardley has secured mandatory challenger status for the WBO title currently held by Usyk, who also reigns as the unified and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion.
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley went toe-to-toe at the O2 in London on Saturday night
Wardley (right) stopped the New Zealander (left) in the 11th round of their fight
Usyk pictured celebrating holding the IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO belts after beating Dubois in their heavyweight rematch at Wembley Stadium on July 19
Under the governing bodies' system, the WBO is next in line to call a mandatory defence. That order was originally issued in July, but plans were pushed back following Usyk's back injury.
There had been speculation that Usyk might vacate his titles to pursue a third fight with Anthony Joshua or a showdown with Tyson Fury. However, Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has dismissed those suggestions and stated he will fight Wardley next.
As it stands, Usyk is expected to return to action in the first half of 2026 and Wardley - speaking to Daily Mail Sport - has stated he is ready to 'shock' the Ukrainian champion.
As for this evening's contest, the fans were loving every second of the early exchanges. They rose to their feet as Parker backed Wardley up on the ropes with 10 seconds to go in the first round - cutting the Ipswich man's nose open before the bell.
Wardley came to fight though - brave, aggressive, determined. Round two saw the fight flip on it's head with Wardley landing right hands and thundering uppercuts that wobbled the New Zealander.
War ensued in the third round with Parker landing a powerful body shot that could be heard from the stands. The Kiwi followed it up with a left hook later in the round to make his presence known.
But, for every action there was a reaction from Wardley. The 30-year-old walked onto several shots as Parker barrelled forward in the fifth round, but very few seemed to phase him. Instead, he fired back with big looping right hands.
It was in the sixth round that both men's bottom lip dropped. The intensity of their clash began to take its's toll.
Pictured: the moment Wardley stopped Parker under bright lights at the O2
Daniel Dubois was spotted ringside supporting the Queensberry event in London
Tyson Fury was also spotted sitting ringside, supporting his friend Parker at the O2
That didn't slow either man down though. Wardley came out of the corner in the eighth looking for blood landing a thudding right hand, before being caught on the counter after pulling out in a straight line.
Parker refused to take his foot off the gas in the ninth round, hunting Wardley down. The Ipswich-man, using experience beyond his years, grabbed hold of the Kiwi and walked him back to his corner to hear what his trainer Ben Davison was saying.
Wardley who ended the ninth round by shaking his head opened the 10th with a long-range uppercut that broke through Parker's guard. The New Zealander responded seconds later with a right hand that landed flush on Wardley's cheekbone.
But, it was Wardley who got the fans excited backing Parker up on the ropes with 10 seconds left on the clock in the 10th round and finished the job off in the 11th round of the contest.
Parker, the consummate craftsman who once lifted a world title when Wardley was still fighting white-collar bouts, looked shaken by the sheer ferocity of Fabio’s will.
The stoppage came like a thunderclap, sending the O2 into chaos. Fabio Wardley, the man who came from the unlicensed scene in Ipswich, had just dismantled a former world champion on one of boxing’s grandest stages.
It wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. A story that belongs among the sport’s most improbable. From the white-collar gyms of Ipswich to the edge of heavyweight stardom, Wardley now stands on the doorstep of destiny.
And if Oleksandr Usyk was watching, he’ll know this much - Fabio Wardley isn’t just a puncher anymore. He’s a problem.
