Let this sink in – a 30-year-old British boxer who once boxed in white collar bouts, who has no amateur experience and only 21 pro fights, will face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed world heavyweight title.
That incredible fairytale rise was completed in London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night when the unstoppable Fabio Wardley somehow stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th-round of an epic slugfest, streamed live on DAZN.
This was a fight neither man needed to take – both already had positions as mandatory challengers to Usyk – Wardley with the WBA and Parker with the WBO. But we should be thankful they did after the pair delivered a stunning showdown in the fight game’s marquee weight class.
After 10 rounds of brutal action Wardley was behind on the scorecards but still upright after taking some fearsome punishment from the classy Parker. But we’ve been here before remember, notably when Fabio produced a punch from the heavens to knock out Justis Huni in Round 10 of a one-sided fight at Portman Road in June.
Wardley comeback is epic again
Once again Wardley, who apparently has a chin made of granite, was able to use his one big equaliser – that massive right hand – to produce a momentous comeback for the ages.
That furious rally began in the 10th, as he got home with the big right hand to have Parker in trouble. Both men by now were clearly fighting on reserves, but it was Wardley all of a sudden who appeared the stronger.
As they came out for the 11th it was Parker (fighting at 262lbs or 18st 10lbs and 20lbs heavier than Fabio) who appeared to be running out of gas. His problems immediately became bigger when he sustained a cut to his left eye which quickly became a problem.
Wardley delivered a brutal and sustained assault which threatened to put the 33-year-old Kiwi Parker down, but he is made of the sternest stuff. Eventually it was referee Howard Foster who stepped in to wave the fight off, a decision which clearly angered Joseph, his team and many ringside observers.
Usyk next for Fabio Wardley
The end result though is that amazing fairytale story, a man with very little experience ascending to the very top table in boxing’s most glamorous division. Now a showdown with the peerless Usyk awaits – potentially in March 2026.
Usyk of course holds all of the heavyweight belts right – all four sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF) plus the Ring magazine belt and the moniker of lineal champion.
So in a few short months Wardley will have the chance to take all of those belts, and to become only boxing’s second undisputed world heavyweight champion since the great Lennox Lewis back in 1999.
He will start as a clear underdog vs Usyk – it will be his huge right hand against the bewildering array of skills possessed by the brilliant Ukrainian. But we’ve now been there many times, and maybe we will again. So far, Fabio Wardley refuses to be denied.
Boxing fans. What. A. Story…
