Fabio Wardley (20 victories, 0 losses, 1 draw, with 19 wins by knockout) suggests Joseph Parker (36 victories, 4 losses, with 24 wins by knockout) employed a cunning tactic of an “experienced, clever veteran” by dislodging his mouthguard in the second round, following a barrage of approximately 20 unanswered blows during their heavyweight title unification bout for the interim WBA and WBO championships, which took place on Saturday evening at the O2 Arena in London.
(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)
Parker’s Veteran Maneuver
Wardley mentions he’s not going to “complain excessively,” but it’s evident he’s somewhat frustrated by the timing of Parker’s mouthguard incident in the second round, particularly after he had Parker in a vulnerable state, nearing a potential knockout. The night could have been less arduous for Wardley had this not occurred.
Wardley, aged 30, ultimately secured victory via an 11th-round knockout, positioning himself as the mandatory challenger to the undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk. However, Fabio was subjected to numerous significant strikes due to his inability to achieve a swift stoppage.
“I embrace the spectacle. I’m here for the amusement. I had him shaken, I had him struggling. I’m unsure of the precise number of punches I absorbed in the second round,” stated Fabio Wardley to iFL TV, reflecting on his triumph over Joseph Parker. “I also managed to land some effective blows at various points during the middle rounds.”
Parker appeared disoriented in the second round after enduring a flurry of punches from Wardley. The loss of his mouthguard, occurring with approximately 40 seconds remaining in the round, potentially averted further immediate damage.
Critical Moments of Reprieve
The referee, Howard Foster, halted the contest precisely when Wardley had Parker in a compromised state. A duration of ten seconds elapsed as the mouthguard was cleansed and subsequently reinserted.
Upon resumption of the bout, Parker had regained composure and successfully navigated the remaining 30 seconds of the round. Notably, the unfolding of events mirrored the concluding segments of the 10th and 11th rounds, where Wardley unleashed a series of combinations on a visibly hurt Parker.
Parker’s survival in the 10th round was largely attributed to the round concluding just in time. He appeared unlikely to have remained upright had the bell not sounded when it did.
“He didn’t seem overly affected in certain instances. Hence, he’s a resilient individual. We anticipated prior to the fight that it wouldn’t be a contest decided by a single punch,” commented Wardley regarding Parker. “Our strategy involved gradually wearing him down. I am aware of three individuals who supported my victory. I anticipate receiving formal apologies in writing from those who doubted me.”
Wardley inflicted damage upon Parker in the 2nd, 10th, and 11th rounds. In the intervening rounds, Parker exerted control through his effective jab, right hand, and left hooks. His broader arsenal of offensive techniques afforded him an advantage over Wardley, contributing to his periods of dominance.
Wardley’s punches frequently missed their mark. Fabio’s ultimate success stemmed from his ability to deliver combinations and his superior hand speed. When he managed to hurt Parker, he unleashed a rapid series of blows in both the 10th and 11th rounds. Parker was left with little option but to defend, while Fabio overwhelmed him with a barrage of strikes.
Fabio’s Dissatisfaction Emerges
“That’s the specifics of the stoppage. I unleashed around 20 or so punches. There was no response from him. It was a classic, seasoned maneuver. He’s an experienced competitor,” remarked Wardley regarding Parker’s dislodged gumshield in the second round, following a period where he was visibly hurt. “It’s not something to dwell on excessively.”
Wardley arguably has grounds for dissatisfaction, as Parker’s mouthguard incident may have prevented a potential knockout in the second round. Had it not occurred, there’s a strong possibility that Parker would have been stopped, given that Wardley had him cornered against the ropes and was executing a flurry of punches.
