Parker and Wardley Hold First Faceoff

Interim WBO Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and WBA Interim titleholder Fabio Wardley met for the first time since their fight was announced.

The New Zealander and the Brit faced off in front of London’s O2 Arena, the venue where their bout will take place on October 25. The card will be broadcast live on DAZN.

Thirty-three-year-old Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) last fought in February, stopping Martin Bakole in the second round. He had originally been scheduled to face Daniel Dubois, but Dubois was forced to withdraw due to illness.

Thirty-year-old Fabio Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) scored a 10th-round knockout over Justis Huni in June, despite trailing on the scorecards. At the time of the stoppage, the judges had it 88-83 and twice 89-82 in favor of Huni.

Parker is the mandatory challenger for undisputed Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, but their fight was canceled due to Usyk’s injury. The WBO has since ordered Usyk to face the winner of Parker–Wardley.