Joseph Parker is not prepared to wait on the sidelines for his undisputed title shot. Photo: Composite image: Graphic / Liam K.Swiggs. Photos / PHOTOSPORT
Joseph Parker v Fabio Wardley
Approx 10am Sunday October 26
O2 Arena, London
Live blog updates on RNZ
Joseph Parker is taking a gamble on himself.
Instead of sitting idle waiting for an undisputed title shot, the Kiwi heavyweight is opting to risk his position against unbeaten Brit Fabio Wardley, an incredibly dangerous fighter with 19 wins and 18 knockouts.
Parker has long been touted for champion Oleksandr Usyk, and a statement win on Sunday will only make those calls grow louder.
But this is heavyweight boxing, and just one clean shot, can instantly flip the script.
Tale of the tape
Joseph Parker
Record- 36 wins 3 losses 24 KOs
Age- 33
Height- 6 foot 4 (193cm)
Reach- 193cm
Fabio Wardley
Record: 19 wins no losses one draw 18 KOs
Age: 30
Height: 6 foot 5 (196cm)
Reach: 198cm
Who is Fabio Wardley?
Wardley's boxing journey rivals Rocky himself and he even has a movie title to tell the incredible story.
'From White-collar to world champion,' perfectly encapsulates the former footballer's unlikely rise.
Working for a recruitment agency, the naturally athletic Wardley became involved in corporate fights for charity.
However, his skill and power saw him quickly surpass the talent on offer, and he soon found himself making his pro debut in 2017 against, Jakub Wójcicki, a decision victory, and the last time he went to the judges in 17 fights, ending his next 16 by knockout. Far from a braggadocios heavyweight, the articulate Wardley is not a fan of engaging in wars of words, but one of fists.
Despite his terrifying resume, Wardley said his true acumen has yet to be showcased.
"Everyone focuses a lot on my power, it draws away from my actual boxing ability, I haven't lost to date, and I'm not planning to do it anytime soon."
Discarding the trash talk
Respect has been the underlying theme in the build-up to this bout. With so much on the line, it could be expected that some psychological warfare may play out, intimidation tactics, or personal attacks, but all has remained cordial, with each man expressing admiration for the other's careers and abilities.
"We don't need all of the drama. The table flipping and all the kicking off. You don't need that. There will be enough drama. Everyone will get their money's worth on the night." - Wardley.
"Boxing is a gentleman's sport, and there is a lot of respect, but in the ring, it's a different story altogether." - Parker.
Both have been respectful when talking about the fight, but both men said it will be a different story when the bell rings on Sunday morning Photo: Photosport
What will a win mean for Parker?
The heavyweight division has one current king, Ukranian Oleksandr Usyk. Parker has been chasing the champ for over a year now, having enjoyed a career resurgence following his 2022 knockout loss to Joe Joyce. On a six fight win streak, claiming names such as Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, Parker has surged up the queue of contenders. However, after being booked in a title eliminator with Daniel Dubois, Dubois pulled out due to an undisclosed illness and Parker instead made quick work of Martin Bakole back in February. Meanwhile, Dubois was booked against Usyk at Wembley. Usyk, saw off the challenge to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, take his record to 24-0 (15 KO), and claim the IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO World Heavyweight titles with a vicious fifth round knock out. With no other obvious challenger, the winner of Sunday's fight will undoubtedly book a blockbuster bout with Usyk.
Parker is keeping his cards close though.
"Usyk is there, but there's no point talking about Usyk if you don't get this right."
Manager David Higgins said there's one man left for Usyk fight in order to truly cement his greatness.
"If he chooses to put legacy first and foremost and keeping the division unified and undisputed he'll fight Parker next. I have been involved with some phone calls recently which suggests Usyk absolutely does value the unified position and I'm confident the winner will get a shot at the undisputed title."
Who did they last fight?
Parker is coming off a statement knockout win over Bakole on February 22nd after Dubois was a late withdrawal from their scheduled bout.
The Kiwi required just two rounds to fell the Congolese giant in Riyadh, cracking Bakole on the crown of his head with a massive overhand right. Bakole staggered to his feet but the damage was done and the fight was over.
Wardley also won his last fight with a knockout courtesy of an overhand right, but it came in far more trying circumstances. He is still just four months removed from the biggest war of his career against Justis Huni for the WBA interim heavyweight title, in which he was completely outclassed across 10 rounds and losing badly on the scorecards, until the hail mary shot sending the Australian crashing to the canvas.
What are they saying?
"Pressure? I don't really care about pressure. Bring it on. I think this is a good example of we will fight anyone. We're not going to sit around and wait, we want to be busy.. This is the fight. This is my championship of the world right now. This is all or nothing, I'm not really thinking about losing this fight. I respect my opponent but I'm a different level. Credit to him for taking this fight but it's the wrong time for him to take this fight because I'm going to smash him." - Parker.
"I think he's in his prime but I feel like what I've done throughout my career is find a way to win and on the night I think I'll do the same.
"We're all heavyweights. We're all big boys. We can all whack Maybe I put a bit more into it, maybe I sit on my shots a bit more, but knowing I have that in my back pocket is a nice little reserve. This is the biggest fight of my life, every time I do step up, I rise to the occasion and Saturday is going to be no different, I look forward to proving doubters wrong." - Wardley.
Manager mouth-off
While the fighter's have kept things cordial, the respective managers have taken the chance to throw a few jabs on the mic.
"I've never seen him so good, he's been getting incrementally better fight by fight and that's the scary thing. The fight is not without risk but it will be our night. He's going to punch holes in Wardley on Saturday. (Sunday). When Wardley was droning on in the presser about the technical stuff, I was starting to daydream." - David Higgins.
"Fabio's gonna stop Parker in great fashion. There will be no luck involved. It's a sink or swim mentality, and Fabio's going to swim, Fabio is going to be too quick, too powerful, too youthful. We have heard it all before, at the end of the day, Fabio knocks them all out. Parker is just going to be another part of the story." - Michael Ofo.
What will happen?
Parker brings more big fight experience, and a greater fight IQ from a 15-year professional career. With Wardley soundly out-boxed against Huni, Parker carries the heavy favourites tag and should use his nous to avoid a fire fight, control the pace, and pepper Wardley with enough power shots to eventually find a finish towards the back end of round five. Both have been respectful when talking about the fight, but both men said it will be a different story when the bell rings on Sunday morning, Parker well aware he could be just one punch away from booking a bout with Usyk, and potential boxing immortality.
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