Fabio Wardley delivered a comeback for the ages, defeating Joseph Parker to seize the WBO interim heavyweight championship.
Issues obtained off to a sizzling begin, with Parker unleashing a flurry of strikes late within the opening spherical. Nevertheless, Wardley got here again with a vengeance within the second, delivering an onslaught that appeared to have Parker reeling. At one level, Parker’s mouthpiece got here flying out, prompting the referee to pause the motion.
That gave Parker a number of additional seconds to recuperate, guaranteeing he would make it out of the spherical.
After giving up the second, Parker bounced again, pumping his jab and buying and selling heavy photographs with the unbeaten Brit. Within the seventh, Parker landed a booming proper hand excessive that had Wardley rocked, forcing him to hunt refuge on the ring ropes.
Parker related with one other nasty proper hand within the ninth spherical, hurting Wardley. Smelling blood within the water as soon as once more, Parker picked up the tempo and delivered a barrage of strikes, in search of the one-hitter quitter.
Down on the scorecards, Wardley got here out swinging within the tenth and connecting with a booming proper hook that had Parker out on his ft within the closing minute. Wardley gave the impression to be closing in on a stoppage, however Parker survived lengthy sufficient to be saved by the bell.
Sensing he was on the cusp of an unimaginable comeback victory, Wardley saved the strain on and caught Parker with one other huge proper. Parker refused to take a knee, nor did he provide any offense in return. After about 30 seconds of taking an uncontested onslaught of strikes from Wardley, the referee lastly noticed sufficient.
Official Outcome: Fabio Wardley def. Joseph Parker through TKO at 1:54 of Spherical 11 to seize the WBO interim heavyweight championship.
Test Out Highlights From Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley:
