A confident, relaxed and upbeat Fabio Wardley informed the media at the final press conference today that he will ‘knock out’ WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker this Saturday, October 25, at the O2 Arena in London and live on DAZN PPV
Parker looked ready to climb into a foxhole and hide from the media and Wardly during today’s final press conference. He appeared highly stressed and fell apart under the pressure of the moment. Former WBO heavyweight champion Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) knows what he will lose if Fabio beats him.
Body language tells the story
Money on the line for Parker
Parker will reportedly make $30-$70 million if he challenges undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2026, assuming he prevails against Wardley on Saturday. If the better-known Parker gets 30% of the revenue share against Usyk, he could earn $60 million.
The lesser-known Wardley can be estimated at $15-$30 million. This would be 15-25% of the wallet.
Given the huge amount Parker can make, one can understand why he looks like a nervous wreck right now. If he loses this fight, it is unlikely he will be able to rebuild in time to take on the 38-year-old Usyk before he retires at 41 in three years’ time. It will take too long for Parker to claw his way back to the position he is in now.
Olly Campbell: The collapse
The difference between the two heavyweights was striking. While Parker looked excited, nervous and the picture of a person plagued by self-doubtWardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) looked like a person among a group of friends. He has the aura of someone who knows he’s going to win and is just ready to have fun on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see how the 33-year-old Parker’s demeanor has changed over the past month as the fight with Wardley approaches. Initially, the New Zealander was full of confidence, buoyed by the many boxing fans and pundits who chose him to outclass the less experienced Wardley. All that changed in the past week.
Fans and the media opposed Parker, viewing him as a vulnerable fighter headed for defeat against the faster, stronger and far more intelligent Wardley. I saw the same look in Parker’s eyes before his fights against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in 2018. He had that 1000-meter stare of a soldier who knew he was about to face something terrible.
Parker vs. Wardley will be shown on DAZN PPV this Saturday, October 25, 2025. The event costs $59.99 for US fans. The pay-per-view price for UK fans is £24.99.
Joseph Parker: “I’m just coming into my prime now. Credit to Wardley for the fight, but it’s the wrong time to take the fight because I’m going to crush him,” Parker said during Thursday’s final press conference for Saturday’s battle. He believes in himself, but I know I’m going to win this fight.
Calm Assassin Energy from Wardley
Fabio Wardley: “I’ve proven in my career that I can put in a not-so-good performance and come back and teach myself to pick areas that I need to fix and sort out to go into the next fight and win. It’s going to be exactly the same for me.
“Under Usyk, he’s the next man up. So, it’s a great scalp for me to take. Fabio Wardley win. Fabio Wardley knockout.”
Last updated on 23/10/2025
