De facto semifinals in boxing can be a poisoned chalice. Just ask Joseph Parker .
When Riyadh Season made its first big splash into heavyweight boxing in December 2023, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder were put on the same card, in a collision course for the following March.
Joshua did his bit, taking apart Otto Wallin over five one-sided rounds, but the matchup with Wilder did not happen because Parker defused and out-pointed the feared former WBC champion over 12 rounds.
Parker is now the favourite in a similar equation. If he comes through white collar slugger turned professional knockout artist Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena on Saturday, two-time and reigning undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk lies in wait.
“For me, this is all or nothing. I am not really thinking about losing this fight, I am going into this fight to win,” Parker told the pre-fight news conference. “And when I win, I will be going onto the next fight. I respect my opponent and what he has done in his career and how he has prepared for this fight, but I am a different level, to be honest. And I am going to show it on Saturday night.”
Wardley was being roundly outboxed in his previous fight against Australian stylist Justis Huni before detonating a sledgehammer right hand on his opponent’s chin. Another shot like that this weekend could be life-changing.
“The separation between where Joe is and where people think I am has been a common theme for me throughout my career. It is nothing new that I am hearing,” Wardley said. “Every time I step up to a new level, it is always this is a step too far until I come through and win and then it is the next step is too far.
“I relish the challenge, I look forward to stepping up and proving people wrong, showing people that I am very much at the top level in this division.
Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley main card resultsJoseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley for the interim WBO heavyweight titleJuergen Uldedaj vs. Rolly Lambert; cruiserweightsLewis Edmondson vs. Steed Goodall; light heavyweight titleDanny Quartermaine vs. Royston Barney-Smith; super featherweightsMitchell Smith vs. Arnie Dawson; LightweightsJoseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley start timeDate: Saturday, October 25Start time: 6:40 p.m. BSTMain event start time (approx.): 10:30 p.m. BSTLocation: York Hall – LondonJoseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley tune-in infoLive Stream: DAZNPPV Price: £24.99 (UK)/ $59.99 (US)
The Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley fight card will be available via DAZN PPV for $59.99 in the US and £24.99 in the UK.
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