Fabio Wardley delivered a comeback for the ages, defeating Joseph Parker to capture the WBO interim heavyweight championship.
Things got off to a hot start, with Parker unleashing a flurry of strikes late in the opening round. However, Wardley came back with a vengeance in the second, delivering an onslaught that appeared to have Parker reeling. At one point, Parker’s mouthpiece came flying out, prompting the referee to pause the action.
That gave Parker a few extra seconds to recover, ensuring he would make it out of the round.
After giving up the second, Parker bounced back, pumping his jab and trading heavy shots with the unbeaten Brit.