Joseph Parker has questioned the referee’s decision to halt his heavyweight clash with Fabio Wardley in the 11th round, insisting he was still capable of continuing when the fight was stopped at London’s O2 Arena.
The New Zealander, a former WBO world champion, suffered a stoppage defeat after Wardley unleashed a flurry of punches that forced referee Howard Foster to intervene at 1:54 of the penultimate round.
Parker, now 36–4 with 24 knockouts, maintains that the stoppage came too early and believes he should have been allowed the chance to recover.
“I still felt fine after the fight was stopped,” he told iFL TV after the bout.
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“I’m not the one in charge of letting the fight go on or stopping it. He’s tougher than I expected.”
At the time of the stoppage, Parker was backed up on the ropes, attempting to avoid Wardley’s combinations but not firing back.
Foster’s decision appeared to come as a precaution after Parker had absorbed several unanswered shots.
Joseph Parker is keen on a rematch with Fabio Wardley despite his defeat on Saturday night
|PA
The New Zealander’s frustration was clear as he reacted angrily in the immediate aftermath, feeling that he had not been badly hurt.
However, replays showed that he had also taken significant punishment in the 10th round and was visibly slowing down.
Parker admitted he was disappointed but refused to dwell on the outcome.
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Fabio Wardley poses following his victory over Joseph Parker
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“I felt like I was controlling the fight, but I got hit with a big punch and that’s it,” he said.
“I still feel I’ve got a lot to give. There’s no point crying about it — it’s not going to change anything. Let’s do a rematch. I’d love to do it again.”
Up until the later rounds, Parker had looked composed and measured, using his jab and timing to good effect.
Many observers had him ahead through the first eight rounds, but momentum shifted dramatically as Wardley’s youth, speed and relentless pressure began to tell.
By the ninth, Parker was visibly tiring, and Wardley — unbeaten in 21 fights with 19 knockouts — began to dominate.
Rounds 9, 10 and 11 saw the champion land consistently heavy shots, forcing Parker into a defensive shell.
Joseph Parker is eager to bounce back following his defeat to Fabio Wardley
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Wardley’s victory continues his rapid ascent in the division and cements his reputation as one of the most dangerous punchers in heavyweight boxing.
The 30-year-old is now expected to pursue a major title opportunity, with reports suggesting that a fight against Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed championship could take place in 2026.
For Parker, a rematch appears unlikely in the short term.
The former world champion will need to rebuild and work his way back into contention if he hopes to secure another shot at Wardley or a high-profile opponent.
Despite the setback, he insists he remains motivated to continue. “I’ve still got more to give,” he said. “I love this sport, and I’ll come back stronger.”
The defeat marks a difficult chapter in Parker’s career, but his resilience and professionalism have long been his trademarks. As Wardley looks ahead to world title ambitions, Parker’s focus will shift to regrouping and proving once again that he remains one of the most durable and determined heavyweights in the sport.