After Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Daniel Dubois in July, the excitement and desire to be close to the undisputed heavyweight champion was unleashed. Among the crowd, Joseph Parker stood out for a special reason.
Parker, with respect, addressed Usyk expressing his interest in being the next to face him. The WBO issued an official order for Usyk to defend his title against the interim champion, a position that Parker seemed to deserve after his victories in the ring.
However, the fight was delayed due to an injury to Usyk, leaving Parker in a holding pattern. The New Zealand boxer, on a winning streak, had overcome rivals such as Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole, the latter by knockout in the second round.
This success renewed Parker’s hopes of becoming a two-time heavyweight champion. But inactivity troubled him.
Parker’s situation is different from that of other boxers, who prefer inactivity and the exchange of provocations on social media. Parker opted for action.
The result is a showdown with Fabio Wardley, an undefeated boxer with great power, which will take place in London on Saturday. A victory would propel Parker towards a fight with Usyk, but the task will not be easy.
Parker knows that organizations can order fights and promoters can make big announcements, but it is Usyk who has the real control in the heavyweight category.
If Parker defeats Wardley, Usyk could be forced to fight him if he seeks a bout in the first part of 2026, as Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could be unrealistic options until later in the year.
This poses a great risk for Parker, not only because of the danger of the fight, but because it could be his last chance to become a two-time world champion. Fortunately, Parker has recent experience against boxers with great power.
Wardley, for his part, demonstrated his ability to win with a knockout over Justis Huni in July, despite being behind on the scorecards. He also knocked out Frazer Clarke in their rematch in October 2024.
Wardley, after the fight with Huni, stated that his main goal is to win. Although he has not yet faced a boxer of Parker’s level.
This showdown promises to be an intriguing encounter, which could cost Parker his chance against Usyk or force the champion to accept the fight.
