Wardley stops Parker in 11th to earn Usyk title shot

Fabio Wardley stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th round at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, earning the win that elevates him into position to challenge undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Referee Howard Foster halted the contest after a sustained flurry from Wardley left Parker on the ropes, handing the Brit a stoppage victory late in a bout that many observers had expected to decide the next mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBO belt.

Foster intervened with 1 minute 54 seconds gone in the 11th round, ruling that Parker could not continue after absorbing a series of heavy shots. Wardley sank to the canvas in the immediate aftermath and celebrated a result that promoters say secures him a shot at Usyk. Promoter Frank Warren indicated the winner would be next in line to face the Ukrainian, who is expected to return to the ring in 2026 after recovering from a recent back complaint.

The manner of the stoppage sparked intense debate. Several former fighters and commentators questioned Foster’s timing, calling the intervention premature. Ariel Helwani described it as an “absurd stoppage,” while former world champion Carl Froch argued the final punches did not land cleanly and...