Parker’s fake smile fades as Wardley steals the weigh-in

Fabio Wardley and Joseph Parker both weighed in today for their heavyweight showdown for Saturday’s fight on DAZN PPV at the O2 Arena in London, England. WBO interim champion Parker (36-3, 24 KOs), who looked soft around the midsection with a father’s body, came in a little lighter than he did in his previous fight against Martin Bakole.

(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

False confidence exposed

What was interesting was how Parker was smiling and pawing around before going up to the scale. It looked 100% fake, as if he had put up a false front of confidence to hide the fear. You could easily tell that it was fake.

The moment Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) stepped on stage, you could see Parker’s brave mask disappear from his face. It was replaced with worry. He couldn’t stay in character with his theatrical attempt to show a false appearance of confidence. Parker is not that good an actor. He doesn’t have the Brando-like ability to slip into a character.

The numbers on the scale

• Joseph Parker – 262.4
• Fabio Wardley – 242.7

“It means everything. It’s one before the other. A big night coming up tomorrow,” Fabio Wardley said afterwards weigh in today. “It’s nothing new for me. I haven’t been beaten, and nothing’s going to change tomorrow night. It’s not about me learning anything. It’s about them learning that I belong at the top of the division.”

Winner Gets Usyk — And Millions

There is a lot on the line tomorrow night for this battle between these two heavyweights. Whoever wins will be next up for undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk in early 2026. That means a $30-$60 million payday for WBA interim champion Wardley or Parker. The lucky one will be a rich man next year.

“I’m heavy, I’m strong, and I’m ready to go. I’m serious about my job. I’m going to punch holes in him tomorrow and teach him a lesson. I’m going to fight fire with fire and get to him,” Parker said.

Joseph knows that he has only one choice but to go to war with Wardley tomorrow night. If he tries to box, like against the aging fighters, Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, he will be hunted down and taken out by the younger fighter Wardley. Running for 12 laps is not the way Parker wants to win. It’s a bad look that makes him appear cowardly.