PETITION TO THE WBO

We, the people of the boxing community, request a rematch between Joe Parker & Fabio Wardley due to the early, unjust stoppage in round 11 of their bout.

Joe Parker is a former WBO Heavyweight Champion who has been denied a title shot thrice by the opaque machinations of boxing:

1. Daniel Dubois withdrew from their scheduled contest only 2 days before the fight, while both fighters were physically in Riyadh, citing a mystery illness. This denied Parker the opportunity to fight for the IBF title. Although classless, that’s not on Daniel Dubois; most likely he wanted to fight and give Parker the respect.

2. Money politics prevented a contest with Usyk this year despite Parker being the WBO mandatory challenger and the WBO mandatory having precedence over other titles. From his performances, Parker clearly belonged at his then-current rankings. 

3. Early stoppage by infamous referee vs Fabio Wardley in round 11 of their bout. It was clear at the time of the stoppage, that Parker was aware, sensibly defending himself and allowing Wardley to gas himself out. Joe had been caught with some big shots, with all credit to Fabio, but many more shots were missed and that takes a lot from a fighter. Parker is a warrior, was never unsteady, his eyes were open and focussed and the second the referee stepped in, Parker was lucid and contested the decision. His expression was immediate understanding and surprise at what was happening, shifting to dispute within a mere second or two - not the look of a fighter who is out on their feet.

Both Parker and Wardley put on an incredible bout, only to have it marred by a dubious stoppage and for both of them, and all of the fans, never to see the genuine result. The only just action is to have them run it back in a rematch before talks of a fight with Usyk. 

We hereby request, demand, or whichever wording best suits the signatory’s sentiment, that the WBO mandatory challenger be decided in a rematch between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley.