Parker & Wardley reject drama as fans tear up $59.99 DAZN PPV

Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley both say they don’t need to create “drama” this week to attract interest in their heavyweight clash on Saturday 25 October at the O2 Arena in London.

They believe that there is enough fan interest in their fight to where there is no need to turn tables, throw glass and create fake drama to motivate boxing fans to buy the event. on DAZN PPV.

Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) will have his WBO interim heavyweight title on the line against WBA interim champion Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs). The winner of this fight will be in position to challenge undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2026 for a massive payday.

Too steep a price for this undercard?

Parker vs. Wardley Undercard

• Lewis Edmondson vs. Ezra Taylor
• Juergen Uldedaj vs Rolly Lambert Fogoum
• Danny Quartermaine vs Royston Barney-Smith
• Mitchell Smith vs. Arnie Dawson

“War,” said Joseph Parker DAZN Boxing when asked ‘what can fans expect on Saturday?’

“War by name, war by nature is something I’ve picked up along the way. But especially with this one, knowing our two styles and how they’re going to come together, I think that’s why you don’t need all the drama, turning the tables and throwing glass,” said Fabio Wardley.

Tom Galm’s take: Fans beat the $59.99 tag

There are many complaints from fans about the PPV price for this event. They believe it should be free, and the undercard is so weak it’s totally unworthy of a pay-per-view event.

Much of the fan interest on social media is UK-centric rather than from the US public, suggesting a theatrical build-up is needed to encourage them. The undercard was widely criticized by fans throughout X, calling it “atrocious, and saying that, “definitely shouldn’t be behind a payday.”

For $59.99, fans are complaining on social media that the undercard is too focused on British-level fighters, and lacks world-class boxers worthy of paying to watch.

Fans feel they are being asked to pay an “absurd” amount of money just to see the main event between Parker and Wardley. Even that, it’s one that translates across American audiences. Wardley is unproven and has beaten UK-level fighters throughout his career.

“There will be enough drama. Everyone will get their money’s worth that night. So, we don’t need all the build up in that sense. We can just as well run. Have a few words back and forth. But the real drama, the real excitement will come on the 25th,” Wardley said.

Final word: Respect doesn’t sell fights

The two fighters were polite to each other and seemed friendly during their interviews together. Drama would have been nice to entice fence sitters to dig deep to buy the opportunity on DAZN PPV.

Since Queensberry has chosen to price the event expensively, as if it were a loaded card, it would be wise for Parker and Wardley to create some theaters this week before Saturday’s event if they want to encourage American fans to buy.

Tom Galm has covered the global boxing scene since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, business trends and fighter psychology.