Overview
- Referee Howard Foster halted the bout at 1:54 of Round 11 at London’s O2 Arena after Wardley trapped Parker on the ropes during a late barrage.
- Official cards released after the fight showed Parker ahead 98-92 and 96-94 with the third judge at 95-95 through 10 rounds, intensifying criticism that the stoppage came too soon.
- Wardley improved to 20-0-1 with 19 KOs, while Parker fell to 36-4 after a back-and-forth contest that swung dramatically in the final two rounds.
- Promoter Frank Warren said Wardley’s next fight should be for all four belts against Usyk, though the WBO has not yet issued its directive on the mandatory defense.
- Parker had risked his WBO mandatory position by taking the fight to stay active, and Wardley’s finish now places him first in line for the undisputed championship.