“Pressure is off – I’ll shock Joseph Parker”

Fabio Wardley says the “pressure is off” of him with the odds making him the underdog for Saturday’s fight against Joseph Parker at the O2 Arena in London.

Eight-year pro Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) has grown accustomed to being the favorite in his fights. So it’s a fresh experience for him to come in as the underdog.

Parker the favorite

WBO interim heavyweight champion Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) is considered the more technically proficient fighter, and has looked markedly improved in his last three fights. He started his career as a raw puncher in 2012, but he has learned a lot since teaming up with Andy Lee in March 2021.

“They all have me as the underdog, which is quite refreshing for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve been at that end of the stick. The pressure is off me,” said Fabio Wardley. talkSport Boxing about him being an underdog for his fight against Joseph Parker on Saturday.

Parker is a -350 favorite to defeat Wardley. The oddsmakers go by the experience former WBO heavyweight champion Parker possesses, fighting at the highest level, such as Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. The 33-year-old Parker has been a pro for 13 years. This makes him a known commodity for the bettors.

Wardley’s strength, hand speed, intelligence and youth give him a real chance in this fight. If he can force Parker into exchanges, it will benefit him because of his speed and strength. Fabio will still need a good chin though as Parker can pop.

Exploitation of weak points

“I know where Joe’s weaknesses are, and I want to exploit them on Saturday night. That’s a very clear carrot that’s being dangled in front of me and Joe. This is the fight. This is the biggest fight in boxing,” Wardley said of a fight against undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk if he prevails against Parker.

There is a lot of money for the winner of Parker vs. Wardley to make when one of them challenges Usyk for his four belts in 2026. Daniel Dubois earns an estimated $71.2 million Usyk fight in their rematch on July 19, 2025. Imagine what Wardley can do to fight Usyk. It will be huge compared to what he made for his fights.

“It’s disturbing, but also very motivating. I’m going to put everything in me on the line because I’m inches away from a world title shot,” says Wardley.

Fabio Wardley – Final Take: The Bookies got it backwards this time

It’s going to be doubly difficult for Parker to fight someone with as much hunger and ambition as Wardley has. Parker’s last three opponents fought like they didn’t have the same hunger to win that Fabio has now.

It’s going to be tough for Joseph to adjust as he faces someone with a strong will to win on Saturday. Parker could fold as he did in his 11th round knockout loss to Joe Joyce on September 24, 2022.