Lawrence Okolie believes Fabio Wardley is going to halt Joseph Parker in his tracks.
Parker and Wardley are set to huge WBO heavyweight title eliminator on October 25, at the O2 Arena.
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Okolie is watching the heavyweight division closely since stepping upCredit: Getty
As fight night fast approaches, the boxing fraternity have been casting their votes on who will leave the ring victorious.
One man that is well-versed in their power, having sparred both Parker and Wardley, is former cruiserweight champion Okolie.
When talking to talkSPORT, he gave his verdict: “I believe Wardley is going to win.
“I believe Wardley is going to be a bit sharper, especially in those early rounds.
“I know Parker is an ex-world champion and has been in there with some of the best fighters, but he’s not had a lot of rounds recently.”
Okolie sees Wardley’s recent win against Justis Huni working in his favour next weekend.
When they shared the ring in June, Wardley claimed a brutal knockout win in his hometown during the tenth round.
Whereas Parker’s last appearance ended in just the second round, when he knocked out Martin Bakole to claim his interim title.
Okolie continued: “In [Parker’s] last fight, it was two rounds with Bakole, and before that, it was Wilder.
“In the last two or three years, he’s only had I don’t know how many rounds.
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Parker is the interim WBO heavyweight title holderCredit: GETTY
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Wardley is the WBA interim heavyweight championCredit: Queensberry
“With Wardley, he’s been on a good run. I think his sharpness will be able to get to Parker, and I think he’ll hurt him in the middle rounds and end it by stoppage.
“But if he doesn’t and the fight goes on later, I think Parker’s experience is really going to show.”
What is on the line when Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley clash?
The pair are set to go head-to-head, with the winner potentially earning a fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker came close in recent months, as the WBO ordered Usyk to defend undisputed titles against the New Zealander.
He opted to fight the Briton instead, after it became apparent that the Ukrainian wouldn’t be back in the ring anytime soon.
For Wardley, he’s hoping to remain unbeaten as he chases the biggest names of the division.
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Wardley has sparred Usyk in the past, when he was gaining experience in gyms across Europe
After emerging onto the professional scene in 2017, Wardley has amassed a record of 19-0-1.
With some white collar bouts under his belt, he gained some valuable experience sparring some of the biggest names in gyms across Europe.
Including the current king of the division, Usyk.
Although, should Okolie be correct in his prediction, he will be next in line for a sanctioned clash with the 38-year-old.
For now Usyk is out of action, but when he’s ready to return he will certainly be met with plenty of offers to defend his titles.
Especially from whoever wins this clash next weekend.