Fabio Wardley made an eternal comeback by beating Joseph Parker and the WBO Interim Heavyweight Championship.
It all started well, with Parker unleashing a series of attacks late in the opening round. However, Wardley came back with a vengeance in the second and delivered a strike that seemed to stagger Parker. At one point, Parker’s mouthpiece flew out, prompting the referee to stop the action.
That gave Parker a few extra seconds to recover so he could get out of the round.
After giving up the second, Parker bounced back, pumping his jab and trading heavy shots with the unbeaten Brit. In the seventh, Parker landed a booming right hand over the top that rocked Wardley, forcing him to take refuge on the ring ropes.
Parker connected with a nasty right hand again in the ninth round, hurting Wardley. Smelling blood in the water again, Parker picked up the pace and delivered a barrage of blows, looking for the one-hitter quitter.
On the scorecards, Wardley came out swinging in the 10th, connecting with a booming right hook that set Parker up in the final minute. Wardley appeared to be closing in on a stoppage, but Parker survived long enough to be saved by the bell.
Sensing he was on the cusp of an incredible comeback win, Wardley kept the pressure on and caught Parker with another big right. Parker refused to take a knee and offered no insult in return. After receiving an uncontested attack from Wardley for about 30 seconds, the referee finally saw enough.
Official result: Fabio Wardley def. Joseph Parker via TKO at 1:54 of round 11 to capture the WBO interim heavyweight championship.
Watch highlights of Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley:
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