Wardley Stops Parker, Wins WBO Interim Title

Fabio Wardley scored an 11th-round TKO of Joseph Parker at London’s O2 Arena on Oct. 25, 2025, after referee Howard Foster halted the bout. The victory made Wardley the WBO interim heavyweight champion and the WBO’s mandatory challenger to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. The stoppage has been widely labeled controversial, with replays suggesting few final punches landed and two of three judges having Parker ahead at the time. Parker left the ring with a badly bruised left eye, called for a rematch, and his trainer Andy Lee questioned the decision. Wardley immediately called out Usyk, though observers say it is uncertain whether Usyk will accept the mandatory fight or pursue other, more lucrative matchups.