Usyk blew this. He had a chance to fight a former titlist and the guy on the second best roll in the heavyweight division behind Usyk himself. Now he is locked into fighting a guy who got it on a British stoppage. Well, congrats Fabio, who impressed a lot of people and is blameless. As for Parker, he's got time for one more rebuild. And we all know this was planned. Frank Warren has his British fighter for a Wembley fight, now.
Wardley is extremely powerful but he should fight Itauma or Dubois, Kabayel against Usyk and Parker against Hrgovic...
The HW division is completely devoid of elite talent except Usyk, of course. Wardley absolutely doesn't deserve a shot at Usyk. Huni completely exposed him, then a Howard Foster stoppage against Parker, all because Bricktop knew he was too far behind on the cards. Parker's fault for taking this fight really, he'd already done enough to earn the shot by beating Zhang, Bakole, and Wilder. He should've known something shady like this would be pulled, but he's too much of a warrior for his own good, and it's come back to bite him badly.
Usyk should just retire. There are no worthy challengers. Just lose lose high stakes matchups for an aging Usyk.
I take the Parker loss on this chin And own it. But it is possible the "cautious" back-foot Parker may do better Either way, is retirement on the cards?
I think Wardley would have been too dangerous if he pushed Parker back onto the ropes. Retirement? I think Parker has another decent run left in him at least.
Retirement has to be an option for Parker now He turns 34 in a few months. He has health and money. Big climb back - and for what?
Imagine allowing someone like Wardley to batter you against the ropes for almost a minute without throwing back?? Parker allowed the referee to have an excuse to step in. As premature as it was, Parker was offering nothing. His chunky new look was yet another failure. Guy doesnt belong at the top table....but then again who does other than Uysk just now. For Wardley I hope he gets the shot at Uysk and makes enough money to retire a wealthy man