Boxing enthusiasts are expressing outrage over what they perceive as a ‘corrupt’ decision in Fabio Wardley’s recent victory against Joseph Parker, with even pundits questioning the legitimacy of the outcome.

Wardley achieved a career-defining victory at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night, paving the way for a potential showdown with Oleksandr Usyk for the chance to become the unified heavyweight champion.

In securing the WBO interim title, Wardley triumphed when the fight was halted in the 11th round. Referee Howard Foster deemed Parker unable to continue after enduring a series of powerful punches.

Post-fight, Parker claimed he was in good condition, pointing out that the judges’ scorecards had him leading. One scorecard had him ahead by six rounds, another by two, with the third reflecting a draw.

Despite the controversy, Wardley, 30, deserves recognition for his journey. From participating in white-collar boxing matches in Ipswich to now being undefeated in 21 professional bouts, his ascent in the boxing world has been nothing short of extraordinary.

But Carl Froch is one of those who feels his dust-up with Parker was stopped early – potentially denying the Brit of a more convincing win than a technical knockout.

Fans are calling the 11th-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley’s win over Joseph Parker ‘corrupt’ 

The referee stepped in after Wardley unleashed a flurry of punches, but Parker had been comfortably ahead on the scorecards

‘The problem is, a right hand, then a left hook, then a right hand – and all three shots really missed when Fabio was putting it on him,’ he said in his Froch on Fighting show. 

‘Fabio had almost punched himself out. He was knackered, absolutely knackered. 

‘Parker leans back on the ropes, guard up. Three big wings from Fabio, they’re not impressive wings. 

If you’re the referee stood this side, you’re thinking they’re big, heavy, dangerous shots. But if you look, they don’t land clean, do they? Nothing lands. 

‘The ref jumps in too early. He was tired. He may have just robbed Fabio Wardley there of a great stoppage. Fabio Wardley may have just got the finish.’

Wardley fell to the canvas as soon as the referee stopped the bout, partly out of exhaustion and partly out of relief. 

Ariel Helwani, a combat sports journalist, had a similar take to Froch but worded it stronger. 

‘Absurd stoppage,’ he said on X. ‘Per the broadcast, Parker was up six rounds, two rounds and even. Was Wardley pouring it on? Yes. But both men were having moments. No knockdowns. A fighter of Parker’s caliber deserved WAY more time.’

He added: ‘That’s an awful stoppage. I’m sorry. Wardley was pouring it on, yes, but Parker was still in it. Parker was ahead on the cards by six rounds and another two and another had it 5-5. Nope. Don’t agree!’

Thanks to his win, Wardley has secured mandatory challenger status for the WBO title currently held by Usyk, who also reigns as the unified and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion.

Under the governing bodies’ system, the WBO is next in line to call a mandatory defence. That order was originally issued in July, but plans were pushed back following Usyk’s back injury.

There had been speculation that Usyk might vacate his titles to pursue a third fight with Anthony Joshua or a showdown with Tyson Fury. However, Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has dismissed those suggestions and stated he will fight Wardley next.

As it stands, Usyk is expected to return to action in the first half of 2026 and Wardley – speaking to Daily Mail Sport after Saturday’s bout – has stated he is ready to ‘shock’ the Ukrainian champion.

But fans could scarcely believe that the fight against Parker was stopped in the manner that it was. 

‘Boxing will always be corrupt. Why did the ref stop that?’ one wrote on X. 

‘Boxing is so corrupt it’s unreal,’ another said. 

Wardley is now the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s unified belts 

‘That was such a bad stoppage from the ref. The more I see it the more it’s a disgrace. Boxing is so corrupt,’ one said. 

Another wrote: ‘British boxing has always been questionable. No one should fight a Brit in this country ever again. Everything about it is corrupt, from refereeing to biased commentary. Good fight between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley but Parker should’ve been given a chance.’

Parker, as you would expect, insisted he could have carried on.

He said in the aftermath: ‘I didn’t feel like it [should have been stopped].

‘The ref stopped the fight, I felt like I could keep going on, he saw enough, but I have to accept the result.

‘Two shots hurt me, but I was still aware and wanted to carry on.’