Despite being a regular at the top table of heavyweight boxing for over a decade, the New Zealander, incredibly, has only ever been granted one shot at stepping into the ring as a challenger in a world title fight.<\/p>\n
In October 2016 Parker took that one chance, defeating Andy Ruiz in Auckland by majority decision to claim the WBO world heavyweight crown. He defended successfully twice before his reign was ended by the IBF and IBO phenomenon at the time Anthony Joshua in 2018.<\/p>\n
A fallen champion normally gets to fight again quickly for his stolen jewels, but while AJ went off in a different direction, Parker was being knocked down twice on his way to defeat by the hands of Dillian Whyte.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
The opportunity to sit on the heavyweight throne again was gone.<\/p>\n
Four years and seven fights later it got worse for Parker. His career looked over after defeat to Joe Joyce for the WBO Interim world title. His last chance for redemption lost. Or, so we all thought.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old\u2019s renaissance is now well known. Under the guidance of coach Andy Lee, he is on a six-fight winning streak, beating some of the biggest names and hardest punchers in the game. Zhang, Wilder, Bakole all dispatched in impressive style. <\/p>\n
Yes, that form was originally recognised with an IBF showdown with Daniel Dubois set for February 2025, only for the Brit to pull out two days before through illness.<\/p>\n
But there would be no rearranged contest, instead the 36-3 fighter was left out in the cold, bypassed and forced to watch on as Dubois went straight to Oleksandr Usyk for an undisputed showdown. Usyk winning in five. <\/p>\n
Parker, who has now only fought once in 14 months, feels finally on the verge of that second world title bout in 13 years. <\/p>\n
Another British boxer is in his way, Fabio Wardley, the fairytale of the fight game, coming from white collar boxing to PPV top bill in just a few short years.<\/p>\n
The two Queensberry fighters meet on Sunday morning (AEDT) live and exclusive on DAZN PPV<\/a>. Their promoter Frank Warren has confirmed exclusively to DAZN News that the WBO have now officially confirmed that the winner will be the mandatory challenger to Usyk.<\/p>\n ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of Parker vs Wardley<\/a><\/p>\n Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley pose ahead of the Heavyweight fight. (Photo by Richard Pelham\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited and happy to finally get such a big fight and knowing what it could lead to,\u201d Parker told DAZN in an exclusive interview.<\/p>\n \u201cI had the fight in February and thought I\u2019d fight again in July or August. So you have that fight and are really motivated. You are flying in the gym keeping yourself in top shape because you think your next fight is soon.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it gets pushed and pushed. It drags on it can be very hard to stay at the same levels.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d have been happy to have three or four fights this year. But it\u2019s been one here, one there. So, you just have to take the opportunities when they come.\u201d<\/p>\n And this is the opportunity for Parker, who goes into the O2 Arena contest as overwhelming favourite against the very dangerous but vastly less experienced Ipswich fighter.<\/p>\n The WBO\u2019s decision means October\u2019s winner they will either face Usyk in an undisputed battle, or the Ukrainian great will vacate the WBO belt to crown the new champion.<\/p>\n Either way, that is a wonderful incentive for both, especially for Parker to make up for all that lost time and be rewarded for such patience.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a massive fight, this is the biggest of my career,\u201d added Parker.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone is talking about Usyk next, but Fabio Wardley is my Usyk now. Because if I don\u2019t get this right then Usyk never happens.<\/p>\n \u201cThe me now beats the me that became world champion. I am very different. More focused, I enjoy training. I have better balance in my life. I\u2019m a completely different and better fighter now. <\/p>\n \u201cI always believed I would be a world champion again. I want to be a world champion, a unified, an undisputed world champion.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I am the next best [removing Usyk], I believe I can be the best in the world and have those belts. Just give me the opportunity. The opportunity is now.\u201d<\/p>\n