IMAGO / Action Plus

Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley: Preview, Fight Card

Originally posted on KO on SI | By Apratim Banerjee | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 9:40 AM ET

Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley are set to engage in an enticing heavyweight showdown. Parker was recently Oleksandr Usyk's mandatory, but the undisputed heavyweight champion is nursing an injury, meaning Parker has to defend his position as the next in line to face the Ukrainian.

The Kiwi currently holds the WBO interim heavyweight title and knocked out Martin Bakole in the second round of his previous outing in February. Parker is riding a six-fight winning streak with wins against Bakole, Zhilei Zhang, and Deontay Wilder.

Wardley, meanwhile, is rising fast. At 19-0-1, he has 18 knockout wins and the Brit is coming off a stoppage victory against Justis Huni. Wardley is the WBA interim heavyweight champion.

Many believe Wardley is a step back for Parker, especially considering the Kiwi has only fought top heavyweights in recent years. Wardley, though, has the power to end any fight and will now look to prove his mettle against the cream of the heavyweight crop.

Parker is the more experienced fighter, but Wardley is on a rapid rise. With the winner potentially securing a shot at Usyk next, the stakes are high for the upcoming contest. Parker also has his eyes set on the prize as he said:

"As a fighter all you want to do is fight. Every fight's a risky fight, but at this stage it is a big risk. I have a lot to lose. I don't want to be waiting around for Usyk. I want to be busy and I want to fight often. The whole division is just waiting on Usyk and seeing when he's fit to fight again."Joseph Parker

Fabio Wardley believes that if he beats Joseph Parker, undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will want to fight him next ️ pic.twitter.com/6Ako9eC381
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 4, 2025