Parker Risks It All, Fights Wardley Instead Of Waiting Usyk

Fabio Wardley praises his opponent, WBO interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, for choosing to fight him because he’s in a position where he could have sat inactive or taken an easy contest while waiting for his title shot against Oleksandr Usyk.

Why Parker Said Yes

Parker said his rationale for taking the fight with Wardley is that he wants to be involved in “big fights,” and he views this as fitting that category. Obviously, the payday Parker, 33, has something to do with his decision to take this risky fight. It beats sitting around, making no money at all.

WBA interim champion Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) and Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) meet in the 12-round main event this Saturday, October 25th, on DAZN PPV at the O2 Arena in London, England.

“I just want to be involved in big fights,” said Joseph Parker to DAZN Boxing. “I just want to fight the best in the world, and here is one of the best in the world,” said Parker about Fabio Wardley.

Could Parker Regret It?

Parker could live to regret his decision to fight Wardley. But if he can’t win this fight, it’s pointless to face Usyk other than for the payday. Parker has looked great recently, winning his last six fights, with victories over Deontay Wilder, Martin Bakole, and Zhilei Zhang. Those guys aren’t the murderers’ row at this stage of their careers.

The one guy that would be a threat to Parker, Moses Itauma, is being carefully managed by his promoters. They’re not about to risk him against a veteran like Parker and have him expose their fighter as a hype job.

Wardley’s Respect

“Yeah, there’s more pressure on him. It’s his initial position with the WBO that he’s putting on the line,” said Wardley. “His mandatory is ahead of mine. So, it’s more risk. Credit to him because he could have quite easily taken an easy fight.”

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