Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley slated for October 25 in London
Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley almost finalised for October
Two Interim world champions set to collide in eight weeks time!
Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley is being finalised for October 25 at The O2 in London, according to the Ring Magazine.
Unbeaten Brit Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) has been holding talks for a fight against New Zealand's Parker (36-3, 24 KOs); the heavyweights are set to share the ring at The O2 on Saturday, October 25.
30-year-old Wardley holds the WBA Interim title, while 33-year-old Parker is the WBO Interim champion.
From Ipswich, Wardley has stopped all but one of his opponents - Jakub Wojcik, on his pro debut in 2017, but the Pole was floored in the first round from a left hook.
The powerful puncher notably turned pro without an amateur background behind him, just a couple of white collar fights and eagerness to learn on the job.
He has notable scalps over Nick Webb, Nathan Gorman, David Adeleye, Frazer Clarke, and Justis Huni.
Trained by Andy Lee, former world champion Parker has recently defeated Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.
The Kiwi was a WBO world heavyweight champion between 2016 to 2018, dethroned in his third defence during a unification clash with Anthony Joshua.
A fight between these two Interim titleholders will crown the rightful challenger to the undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
However, Parker is already the mandatory challenger, so the likeable fighter is putting that privilege on the line, further displaying his willingness to fight anybody to gain his world title shot.
Usyk has been dragging his heels in agreeing to defend his undisputed championship after citing a hand injury and requesting time to recover and spend time with his family after two fights in seven months against Tyson Fury in December 2024 (UD 12) and Daniel Dubois in July 2025 (TKO 5).
