Fabio Wardley Stops Joseph Parker in 11th to Snag WBO Interim Title

When Fabio Wardley, a professional heavyweight boxer landed a technical knockout on Joseph Parker in the eleventh round, the packed O2 Arena in London erupted.

The bout, officially titled Wardley vs. Parker – WBO Interim Heavyweight Title FightO2 Arena, unfolded on Saturday, October 25, 2025, and was streamed live on DAZN across multiple territories. The stakes were crystal‑clear: the winner would claim the WBO interim heavyweight title and become the mandatory challenger for undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Background and Stakes

Prior to the night in Greenwich, Parker entered as the defending interim champion, a role he earned after capturing the full WBO world belt back in 2016 and losing it to Anthony Joshua in 2018. Since then, he has been clawing his way back, eyeing a shot at redemption. Wardley, on the other hand, arrived unbeaten, largely untested at the very top tier but praised for his knockout power.

Pre‑fight chatter on the BoxRec forum on October 25 highlighted a surprising mutual respect between the two: "Rather than hate, or even dislike, the feeling that unites Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley ahead of their October 25 heavyweight clash in London." Odds favored Parker heavily, and many pundits wrote off Wardley's chances, noting he was trailing on the judges' cards before the stoppage.

The Fight Unfolds

Round after round, Parker used his experience to outpoint Wardley, taking the early lead on all three judges’ scorecards. Yet Wardley kept the pressure, landing body shots that seemed to sap Parker’s stamina. In the eleventh round, the tide turned. Wardley unleashed a flurry of left‑handed power punches that sent Parker stumbling. The referee stepped in, calling a technical knockout and awarding Wardley the interim crown.

Here’s the thing: the stoppage came just as Parker was looking to rally, making the finish feel both dramatic and, to some, a touch premature. Still, the result was official, and Wardley’s name is now etched on the WBO interim belt.

Reactions and Analysis

Post‑fight, Heavyweight Boxing headlined its coverage with the line, "Stunning Round 11 TKO of Joseph Parker at The O2, seizing the WBO interim heavyweight title after trailing on the cards." The outlet praised Wardley’s resilience, noting that turning a deficit into a championship win is “the hallmark of a future champion.”

On the other side, Parker’s camp expressed disappointment but hinted at a possible rematch: "We respect Fabian’s performance, but the loss doesn’t define Joseph’s career. He’ll be back," a spokesperson said.

Boxing analysts pointed out the broader implication: Wardley is now the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk. That sets up a potential unification bout that could reshape the heavyweight hierarchy for years to come.

What This Means for the Heavyweight Division

• Wardley’s victory elevates an unbeaten puncher into the world‑title conversation.
• Parker’s defeat stalls his comeback, likely pushing him into a lower‑ranked bout to rebuild.
• Usyk, holding the undisputed crown, now faces a mandatory challenger with a fresh knockout reputation.
• The fight’s broadcast on DAZN reinforces streaming’s growing dominance over traditional PPV.

In short, the heavyweight landscape has shifted. The next few months will reveal whether Wardley can translate his interim success into a full‑title win, or if Usyk will retain his dominance.

Looking Ahead

Negotiations for the Wardley‑Usyk showdown are reportedly already underway, though no date has been locked down. If the fight happens before the end of 2025, it could become the headline title bout of the year, especially as fans clamor for an answer to the lingering question: "Can a relatively unknown champion dethrone the undisputed leader?"

Meanwhile, Parker is expected to return to the ring sometime in early 2026, aiming to rebuild his standing and perhaps chase another interim opportunity. The heavyweight division, notoriously fickle, will watch closely.