Joseph Parker has dismissed any discussions about facing Oleksandr Usyk at the moment and has committed to defeating Fabio Wardley in their upcoming heavyweight bout.
The 33-year-old New Zealand star is set to make his highly awaited comeback to the ring this Saturday against the formidable and rising Wardley. It has been a challenging year for Parker thus far. The former world champion was scheduled to fight Daniel Dubois for the Brit’s world title in February, but Dubois withdrew just 48 hours before the fight.
Parker made a strong statement by knocking out Martin Bakole on short notice. Despite being lined up to fight Usyk next, the Ukrainian chose to face Dubois instead and claimed a dominant victory in front of a massive crowd at Wembley Stadium.
Usyk, 38, was mandated to defend his titles against Parker but requested a postponement, citing an injury despite footage showing him dancing at an event. Following an investigation, Usyk was given an extension but is required to battle the winner of the upcoming Parker-Wardley clash. Ahead of their anticipated match at the O2 in London, Parker emphasized the high stakes involved.
Parker expressed his determination, stating, “For me, this is do or die. I’m not contemplating losing this fight. Once I win, I’ll shift my focus to the next bout. I have respect for my opponent, but I believe I am on a different level.” Wardley, on the other hand, exuded confidence while Parker issued a chilling warning to his unbeaten opponent.
Wardley, who last impressed with a comeback knockout victory over Justis Huni, is eager for the challenge on fight night. He emphasized that there is more to his boxing ability than just knockout power.
The showdown between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley is scheduled for October 25 at London’s O2 Arena. The entire event can be streamed live on DAZN for £24.99, with the winner likely to secure a shot at Usyk for the WBO belt and other titles in the near future. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed that the victor will face Usyk early next year, making the stakes even higher for the contenders.