Joseph Parker says he's ready to fight his next opponent next month. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker believes he has the experience to challenge for a world title again and is ready for his next opponent.
In July the WBO ordered negotiations for a bout between interim heavyweight champion Parker and the unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
However Usyk is now carrying an injury and so Queensberry Promotions organised a bout between Parker and Englishman Fabio Wardley in London on 25 October.
Former world champion Parker, 33, has had limited action over recent months. He was meant to fight IBF champion Daniel Dubois in February, but that was cancelled just days before and Parker went on to beat a late replacement Martin Bakole.
In late 2023 Parker beat Deontay Wilder and in 2024 beat Zhilei Zhang in two big WBO contender bouts.
That run was meant to set him up for a fight with Usyk, but now he has a showdown with Wardley, with the winner next in line to fight Usyk or even take his WBO belt if the Ukrainian decides not to fight.
Thirty-year-old Wardley has been described as the biggest puncher in the game at the moment; 18 of his 19 victories have come via knockouts.
Parker (39-36-3) is unfazed.
"I've fought a lot of fighters with big punches and they haven't really been able to keep me out," Parker told a media conference.
Joseph Parker knocks down Martin Bakole, during the WBO interim heavyweight title in February. Photo: Mark Robinson / PHOTOSPORT
Unbeaten Wardley, 30, has fought just 20 times and "admits this fight is a huge moment in his career.
"Probably a defining moment, but I am committed to big fights only."
He said this was an opportunity to show that he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the top fighters.
"I've not made it this far in my career to just hang about and wait for things to be handed to me.
"While Oleksandr Usyk is tied up at the moment there is no better competitor in the division right now than the number two man Joseph Parker."
Parker exuded confidence in the media conference and wasn't concerned about Wardley's form.
"I know Wardley is determined and says he's ticked all those boxes and put all the rounds in but fighting a person like myself is very different to fighting everyone else he has fought.
"I bring a lot of experience, belief and determination... and I will win."
The fight will be at London's O2 Arena on 25 October.
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