Fabio Wardley praises his opponent, WBO interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, for choosing to fight him because he is in a position where he could have sat idle or taken an easy contest while waiting for his title shot against Oleksandr Usyk.
Why Parker Said Yes
Parker said his reason for fighting Wardley is that he wants to be involved “great battles,” and he considers it to fit that category. It’s clear that the payday Parker, 33, had something to do with his decision to take on this risky fight. It beats sitting around and not making any money at all.
WBA interim champion Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) and Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) meet in the 12-round main event this Saturday, October 25. on DAZN PPV at the O2 Arena in London, England.
“I just want to be involved in big fights,” Joseph Parker said DAZN Boxing. “I just want to fight the best in the world, and here’s one of the best in the world,” Parker said of Fabio Wardley.
Could Parker have regrets?
Parker may regret his decision to fight Wardley. But if he can’t win this fight, it’s pointless to face Usyk other than for the payday. Parker has looked good recently, winning his last six fights, with wins over Deontay Wilder, Martin Bakole and Zhilei Zhang. Those guys are not killer’s row at this stage of their careers.
The one guy who would be a threat to Parker, Moses Itauma, is being carefully managed by his promoters. They are not going to risk him against a veteran like Parker and let him expose their fighter as a hype job.
Wardley’s respect
“Yes, there is more pressure on him. It is his initial position with the WBO that he is putting on the line,” says Wardley. “His obligation comes before mine. So, it’s more risk. Credit to him because he could have taken an easy fight pretty easily.”
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Last updated on 19/10/2025
