Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley are just hours away from trading leather for a shot at the ultimate prize in the sport of boxing.
Ipswich’s Wardley faces undoubtedly the toughest test of his career having previously beaten the likes of Frazer Clarke, David Adeleye and Justis Huni. He has knocked out every man that has stepped through the ropes with him after going the distance in his debut, though Clarke first fought him to a draw before getting stopped in the rematch.
Parker is on a career resurgence having beaten three of the division’s biggest punchers in Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole under the tutelage of Andy Lee. The former WBO World Champion has come a long way since losses to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in 2018.
Speaking on Instagram, two-time world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury talked up the ‘great’ match-up, backing his pal Parker but not quite making a prediction.
“We got Joseph Parker this weekend at the the O2. This [is] gonna be a great fight. Joe is the WBO interim world heavyweight champion looking for that shot at the full version. Standing in his way is Fabio Wardley, the hard punching heavyweight with world gold on his mind.”
Usyk, via his team, has confirmed that he has interest in facing the winner rather than dropping the WBO belt, which is the next in the mandatory rotation and has been ordered to take place next. It means there is yet more at stake for tonight’s main event stars, as they may get a chance at undisputed thrown into the bargain if the Ukrainian is allowed to keep hold of all three other titles.
