Eddie Hearn believes someone is getting knocked out when Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley come to blows in October.
Parker and Wardley will go head-to-head at the O2 Arena in London on October 25, in a bout that is set to have big implications for the heavyweight division.
Parker is a man in form right now, having beaten Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole in his last three outings. He is the WBO mandatory, but currently Usyk has claimed he is injured, so has not yet entered negotiations for a fight with the former WBO ruler.
Wardley is much less experienced, but in his last two fights, he has knocked out Frazer Clarke in one round and rescued what looked to be a points loss with a big stoppage of Australian Justis Huni.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has worked with both Parker and Wardley in the past, and speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, Hearn broke down Wardley’s chances.
“Yeah I think it’s a huge jump up for Wardley, who by the way deserves a massive amount of credit. We all know the story is a bit boring now about the white collar background and no amateur experience, but he has gone through the ranks.
“People say he was lucky against Justis Huni but I don’t think you can ever be lucky when you knock someone out, but he was getting well beaten and was four, five minutes away from losing a lopsided decision.
“But he carries great power. He knocked out Frazer Clarke in a round. This is a different kind of step up against a guy with massive experience and massive form, but Fabio has big cojones, and he will be live in all fights because he’s not afraid to let his hands go.
“I do think, and I like Fabio a lot, but I always try to be honest in a lot of these analyses, I think it’s a step too far for him in the form that Joseph’s in. But he’s definitely live in the fight.”
Hearn then explained how Parker may see it as a frustrating bout.
“It’s a good fight. Sometimes, I don’t think this will happen with Joe, but when you’ve beaten Wilder, beaten Bakole, beaten Zhang, and you’re sitting there waiting for a shot at Usyk and you have to fight Fabio Wardley, sometimes that can take the mojo away a bit and it can affect the preparation. It will be an explosive fight, I don’t think it will go the distance; that’s for sure. “
Whoever comes out on top will likely be first in line for a fight with two-time undisputed ruler Usyk when he returns, so there is plenty on the line.
