Fabio Wardley Stuns Joseph Parker with 11th-Round Stoppage to Claim WBO Interim Heavyweight Title at O2 Arena
The Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia, exploded in shock on December 6, 2025, as Fabio Wardley pulled off a massive upset, stopping Joseph Parker in the 11th round to claim the WBO interim heavyweight title. Wardley’s ferocious comeback, fueled by a devastating right uppercut in the 10th that rocked Parker, led to a barrage that forced referee Howard Foster to intervene at 1:45 of the 11th, handing the British challenger his first stoppage loss in years. Aired live on DAZN starting at 8:00 p.m. AEST after prelims at 6:00 p.m. AEST, the 12-round war (stopped early) ignited X, with @BoxingAUSX calling it “Wardley’s fairy-tale KO—Usyk next?” Queensland’s fight-week buzz, with a 10,000-strong crowd amid beachside fan zones and Gold Coast expos, turned this into a defining heavyweight night, blending Wardley’s raw power with Parker’s veteran savvy.
Fight Overview Wardley vs. Parker headlined the main card at Gold Coast Convention Centre, kicking off at 8:00 p.m. AEST on DAZN after undercard action at 6:00 p.m. AEST. Slated for around 9:45 p.m. AEST, the stakes were sky-high: Wardley, 30, aimed to crash the elite as the underdog, while 33-year-old Parker sought to solidify his mandatory status for Oleksandr Usyk. TAB odds pegged Parker as the -300 favorite, with Wardley at +220, drawing value from his knockout threat. X buzz framed it as a “David vs. Goliath down under,” with @HeavyweightHype posting, “Parker’s experience vs. Wardley’s bombs—Queensland chaos!” The 10,000 fans, energized by local pressers and Surfers Paradise workouts, created a raucous vibe. X polls leaned 65% toward Parker early, but Wardley’s surge flipped sentiment.
Fabio Wardley The 30-year-old from Ipswich, England, entered with a 20-0 record (19 KOs), orthodox at 6’3″ with a 78-inch reach. The white-collar convert averages 6.5 power shots per round at 58% accuracy (Compubox), fresh off a 2024 TKO of Dillian Whyte. Now Down Under, X clips show him drilling uppercuts with coach Ricky Hatton. His 95% KO rate and heart make him a Cinderella story, with @BoxingScene tweeting, “Wardley’s chin is granite; upset brewing.”
Joseph Parker The 33-year-old from Auckland, New Zealand, sported a 36-3 record (24 KOs), orthodox at 6’2″ with a 76-inch reach. Former WBO champ, he lands 5.8 punches per round at 54% accuracy (Compubox), rebounding from a 2024 UD loss to Zhang Zhilei via May 2025 win over Deontay Wilder. Training in Vegas, X footage shows jab drills with Kevin Barry. @SkySportsBox noted, “Parker’s -300 is safe… or is it?”
The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown Round 1: Queensland roars as Parker jabs from range, using experience to tag Wardley early. Fabio slips inside at 1:30, landing a body hook, but Parker counters with a right at 2:45, drawing blood from Wardley’s nose. Compubox: Parker 30/50 to Wardley’s 15/35. @DAZNBoxing scores 10-9 Parker.
Round 2-3: Wardley aggresses in Round 2, ripping a left at 0:45 that tests Parker’s guard. Parker responds with volume, landing 35/55 in Round 3. Wardley’s cut opens at 2:15. Scores 29-28 Parker.
Round 4-6: Parker dominates Round 4, trapping Wardley on ropes at 1:20 (25 landed). Wardley fights back in 5-6, outlanding 70-60 with hooks; Round 6 right wobbles Parker briefly. Even rounds, 58-58.
Round 7-9: Parker rallies Round 7, staggering Wardley with a cross at 1:30 (28 landed). Wardley reclaims in 8-9, body work slowing Parker (40/65). Scores tilt 10-9 Parker in 7, Wardley 8-9.
Round 10-11: Wardley erupts in Round 10, landing a massive right uppercut at 2:00 that buckles Parker—gumshield flies! Parker survives, but Round 11 sees Wardley swarm with a barrage at 1:45, forcing the stoppage. Compubox: Wardley 180/320 (56%) to Parker’s 200/380 (53%). TKO for Wardley.
Key Moments and Impact Wardley’s Uppercut: The 10th-round bomb shifted momentum, with 56% power accuracy overwhelming Parker late. @BBCBoxing: “Fairy-tale finish!” Parker’s Early Control: 200/380 punches (53%) kept him ahead, but fatigue showed. Fan Reaction: The 10,000 erupted for the stoppage; X polls flipped to 70% Wardley post-fight. Cut Impact: Wardley’s nose bleed early, but his chin absorbed 5.2 power shots per round.
Post-Fight Analysis and Implications Wardley, now 21-0 (20 KOs), shouted, “Usyk, I’m coming! White-collar to world champ!” His upset nets a $150,000 bonus, 95% KO rate intact; experience gaps vs. elites linger. Parker, 36-4, gracious: “Fabio earned it; heartbreaker but respect.” His stock dips, but rematch or Fury III possible. Heavyweight shakes with Usyk, Fury, Joshua circling.
Event Context and Queensland Atmosphere The card featured a co-main UD by Tim Tszyu over Michael Zerafa; 60% stoppages added fireworks. Fans hyped by beach bashes; @SkySportsBox: “Gold Coast delivers KO magic.” DAZN’s stream marked a 2025 upset pinnacle.
What’s Next? Wardley eyes Usyk mandatory in 2026 Riyadh. Parker plots tune-up. This Queensland stunner vaults Wardley to heavyweight royalty.
On December 6, 2025, Fabio Wardley TKO’d Joseph Parker in Round 11, uppercut sparking a comeback amid Gold Coast chaos. Power secures Usyk path, as heavyweight upsets define 2025.
