Carl Froch believes Joseph Parker could have been given a chance to continue his fight against Fabio Wardley. Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom/Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
In the most arduous test of his career, Fabio Wardley stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th round, and former super middleweight world champion Carl Froch spoke.
The referee who stopped Froch’s last fight of his career was the same referee who stopped Parker after Wardley’s attack on Saturday night.
Last night, facing his first former world champion, Wardley was quite the underdog, with many in the industry expecting Parker to outclass him, including Tyson Fury, Dave Allen and Tony Bellew.
After a real back-and-forth fight, both men suffered multiple injuries and had their chins tested multiple times.
Fabio Wardley amazed Joseph Parker during his performance at the O2: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
It was the 11th round in which the 30-year-old did his job, firing numerous unanswered shots at Parker until referee Howard Foster had seen enough.
“Cobra” spoke through his voice YouTube channel giving his opinion on the course of the fight up to the stoppage.
“In round 10 he is on the stool and on my card he has a 6-4 lead, but he is sitting quite badly injured.
“But let’s focus on round 11. Fabio Wardley comes out and bets on Parker, but he doesn’t give up.
“As soon as he hit him and hurt him, he just didn’t let go.
“He’s just in great shape. A lot of stuff was wasted, he was stifling his work a little bit, but he got through it and caught Parker and pushed them back.”
Fabio Wardley scored an upset victory over Joseph Parker. Credit: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
“Referee Howard Foster, one of the best judges in the business, looked intently into Parker’s eyes even though he was starting to lose strength.
“Wardley’s attack was vicious. In my opinion, Parker should have caught him in survival mode and maybe even taken a knee, but he didn’t get caught in anything that bad because he was a mess.”
Parker spoke at the post-fight press conference, praising Wardley’s strength, but also stated that at no point did he feel defeated or ready for the fight to end.
Froch once again commented on the break, admitting that he would have preferred the fight to last longer, but also understood the thinking behind ending it early.
“The general consensus is that it was stopped too early. One of my friends called me right away and said, ‘What nonsense, it’s not working.’
“I said, ‘Listen, Howard Foster is the best in the business, he knows the game. It’s close. He looks Parker in the eyes. If he hasn’t seen anything, he will stop the fight. “
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley performed a classic performance last night: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
“For me, I would have preferred the fight to have continued. Parker had the advantage on my card. It was a close fight. He didn’t get caught with anything pristine, he didn’t fall, he didn’t get hurt.
“He’s a large, forceful boy and we want the final finish of the race and that was in the 11th round with only one round left.
“Let’s see the ending. I think it should continue.”
With the huge win, Wardley is now in pole position to make a shot at Oleksandr Usyk and all of his belts, with promoter Frank Warren insisting it will be another post-fight fight for both fighters.
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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