Joseph Parker has dismissed any discussions about facing Oleksandr Usyk at present and has committed to defeating Fabio Wardley in their upcoming heavyweight bout.
The 33-year-old New Zealand star is set to make his highly-anticipated comeback to the ring on Saturday night against the formidable and rising Wardley. This year has presented challenges for Parker as he was initially scheduled to challenge Daniel Dubois for the British fighter’s world title in February, but Dubois withdrew just 48 hours before the fight.
After impressively knocking out Martin Bakole on short notice, Parker was poised to square off against Usyk. However, Usyk chose to fight Dubois instead, resulting in a devastating knockout victory for Usyk in front of a massive crowd at Wembley Stadium.
Despite being ordered to defend his titles against Parker, Usyk requested a postponement, citing an injury despite footage surfacing of him dancing at a concert. Following an investigation, Usyk was granted an extension but is obligated to face the winner of the upcoming Parker-Wardley clash.
Parker emphasized the high stakes of the fight, stating, “For me, this is do or die. Winning is my only focus for now; after that, I’ll consider my next steps. I have immense respect for my opponent, but I believe I operate on a different level.” Meanwhile, Wardley, brimming with confidence, issued a chilling warning to his undefeated adversary ahead of their showdown.
Wardley, who last impressed with a come-from-behind knockout victory over Justis Huni in June, expressed his readiness for the challenge. Known for his knockout power, Wardley highlighted that his boxing skills often go unnoticed amid the focus on his punching ability.
As the anticipation builds for the clash between Parker and Wardley at the O2 Arena in London on October 25, the fight is poised to be a significant event in the boxing world. Both fighters are determined to emerge victorious, with the winner earning a shot at the two-division undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
With the fight scheduled to take place this weekend, Parker remains focused on the task at hand and is uninterested in speculation about future opponents. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed that the victor of the Parker-Wardley bout will have the opportunity to challenge Usyk for the WBO belt and the other championship titles early next year.
Boxing enthusiasts can catch the action live on DAZN for a fee of £24.99, with additional subscription options available for continued access to the platform. The event is expected to draw a global audience, with the main card scheduled to commence at 5pm BST and the main event likely to feature Wardley entering the ring first, followed by Parker.