Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley | DAZN - 25 October 2025

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joseph Parker hopes to lock in his next fight “very soon”

Heavyweight Joseph Parker has both a wish list and a preferred order in which to do things.

However, that doesn’t mean the New Zealander is reluctant to deviate from his plan, nor that he will wait around until his dream scenario materialises at exactly the right time.

In fact, when it comes to adjusting and going with the flow, Parker is no stranger.

Back in February, an IBF heavyweight title shot against Daniel Dubois was scrapped when Dubois, the champion, fell ill and had to withdraw during fight week. Yet, it was Parker, the dejected challenger, who was the first to say: “The show must go on.”

Many, in that same situation, would have perhaps waited for a rescheduled date for fear of losing the opportunity by fighting a replacement opponent. But no, not Parker.

Instead, Parker not only elected to still fight on the date meant for Dubois but he accepted a fight against Congo’s Martin Bakole, arguably the most avoided fighter in the division at the time.

Now, seven months on, Parker is again having to prepare himself for every eventuality.

His ideal fight is of course a shot at the world heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, for whom he is the current WBO (World Boxing Organization) mandatory challenger. But if that fight cannot be made next due to Usyk’s reported injuries, Parker is happy to keep things moving and fight somebody else.

It’s for that reason rumours of him boxing Fabio Wardley on October 25 persist.

“I’m hoping to lock in a fight very soon,” Parker confirmed in a message to Boxing Scene’s Declan Warrington on Sunday. “I’m keen to fight Usyk, but if I can’t get him, anyone in the top five or ten in the world.”

Taking into account Wardley’s recent form, and his 19-0-1 (18 KOs) record, that would presumably include him. More top ten, than top five, Wardley is a dangerous puncher whose ability to turn a fight around with one shot was never better exemplified than when he knocked out Justis Huni in the final round of a fight he was losing in June.

Beat Wardley and Parker, 36-3 (24), stands to enhance his reputation in the division and strengthen his claim for a shot at the world heavyweight title. Yet the fight – Plan B, if you will – is not without its risk, particularly given Wardley’s punch power, and Parker, at 33, can afford few mistakes or setbacks when so close to a heavyweight title challenge.

Indeed, as Parker aims to capitalise on his purple patch, there are other men either queuing up behind him or circling around him. One of these men, Moses Itauma, is a prospect of whom big things are expected and somebody Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Arabian financier, has said he would like to see Oleksandr Usyk fight next.

“Itauma is very talented,” admitted Parker. “If Usyk continues to keep fighting, it could be a fight down the line. But I would love to test myself against Usyk first.”

Be that as it may, Parker and Usyk have yet to even open talks for the fight – which was initially ordered on July 24 with a 30-day window to agree terms before a purse bid. Usyk’s team seem in no rush to change this, either.

Serhii Lapin, director of Usyk's team and CEO of Ready to Fight, has stressed that the Ukrainian would not be hurried into his next move. “Throughout his entire professional career both Oleksandr Usyk and our whole team have proven that we respect all potential opponents as well as the rules that govern professional boxing,” Lapin told Ready to Fight.

“Over the past year and a half Usyk has accomplished a historic achievement by becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion twice. That demanded tremendous physical and mental effort, and great sacrifice.

“The champion has earned the chance to let his body recover from the effects of a punishing training regime and from injuries that are often invisible to the outside world. And, ultimately, simply to rest and spend time with his family.

“Most importantly: he has earned the right to choose his own future and to take the time he needs to make that decision. So, guys, don’t push the horses.”

Besides, this horse is currently lame due to a back injury, one as inconvenient as it is painful. That injury was reported to the WBO when Usyk sought an extension for his next mandatory defence, but many have since questioned its veracity because of a video that recently circulated on social media. In this video Usyk was seen dancing – one of his favourite pastimes – at some sort of music concert or party and appeared to be moving unimpeded throughout. “I haven't actually seen the medical evidence but you would think that a serious injury would prevent that sort of activity,” said Parker’s promoter, David Higgins, to Sky Sports. “As far as I’m concerned, things are exactly as they were. In boxing, nothing surprises me.”

Usyk’s last WBO mandatory was Daniel Dubois, whom he boxed, for the first time, in August 2023. According to WBO rules, a champion must defend their belt within 12 months unless an exception is justified and, under Rule 11, Section 2, an extension is only granted for “good cause” – a legitimate injury, a unification, or a legacy-level fight.

The WBO had been prepared to grant Usyk his extension request – until, that is, the now-infamous dancing video started to spread online. Now they have officially requested a detailed explanation of the champion’s alleged injury and asked for a medical reassessment to take place by Monday at the latest.

WBO Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas stated in a letter to Usyk’s attorney John Hornewer: “These actions put the Championship Committee in a difficult position, as the arguments made in the petition and the medical documentation submitted are called into question by these new developments. The recordings appear to contradict the medical recommendations.”

Parker, as is his custom, seems a lot less bothered by it all. “Usyk is a good dancer,” he said. “It was good to see him enjoying himself and having fun. If the WBO is investigating it, that’s what they’ve decided to do.”

Meanwhile, Parker will just continue to focus on himself and the things he can control. The show, for him, must go on – always.

[KiwiRider]

If you haven't seen how easily Justis Huni repeatedly flush hits Wardley, have a wee look back at their fight.

Then imagine Parker with a bit more pop, and loads more experience, will go against Wardley,

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yh one thing Huni lacked was power.

He was boxing Fabio’s head off throughout.

[jameswilson]

Yh one thing Huni lacked was power.

He was boxing Fabio’s head off throughout.

I even wonder what would have happened if Huni had the full camp that he would have wanted.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yh one thing Huni lacked was power.

He was boxing Fabio’s head off throughout.

I even wonder what would have happened if Huni had the full camp that he would have wanted.

He didn’t need a full camp to beat him. He was beating him handily.

Wardley is a Wilder. If he lands eventually, he might put you out. And even the KD was bullshit. Ref could have given him time. He was quick to end it.

[KiwiRider]

Wardley is a Wilder.

Wilder is/was a one trick pony.
Fabio can really bang, but also box a bit.
I think Fabio would have beaten prime Wilder.

[Bobbyptsd]

Yh one thing Huni lacked was power.

He was boxing Fabio’s head off throughout.

I even wonder what would have happened if Huni had the full camp that he would have wanted.

He didn’t need a full camp to beat him. He was beating him handily.

Wardley is a Wilder. If he lands eventually, he might put you out. And even the KD was bullshit. Ref could have given him time. He was quick to end it.

You really don't like Justis Huni very much if you wanted him to keep going there. "Time"? Time to what, get absolutely slaughtered?

[JamesPhilips]

I even wonder what would have happened if Huni had the full camp that he would have wanted.

He didn’t need a full camp to beat him. He was beating him handily.

Wardley is a Wilder. If he lands eventually, he might put you out. And even the KD was bullshit. Ref could have given him time. He was quick to end it.

You really don't like Justis Huni very much if you wanted him to keep going there. "Time"? Time to what, get absolutely slaughtered?

Also I think Wardley is more skilled than Wilder.

[IRONFIST]

Massive opportunity for Wardley, if the fight happens.

[TheLeprechaun]

I was confident Huni would beat Wardley but I did say that Huni has a glass chin so it might go pear shaped. Well he won every round and was comfortably winning until he got caught. Wardley isn't at this level. This should be an incredibly easy fight for Parker, who does possess a chin. Parker will stand his ground here as that will take everything away from Wardley. I think Wardley will be getting KO'd here. He has his punchers chance but Parker just needs to stand his ground, be aggressive and bully Wardley. I'd be looking to match Wardley up with Dubois because Dubois will come for a fight and has less IQ than Parker. Maybe even Bakole would be good for Wardley stylewise although I expect Bakole to do him.

[joshj909]

I was confident Huni would beat Wardley but I did say that Huni has a glass chin so it might go pear shaped. Well he won every round and was comfortably winning until he got caught. Wardley isn't at this level. This should be an incredibly easy fight for Parker, who does possess a chin. Parker will stand his ground here as that will take everything away from Wardley. I think Wardley will be getting KO'd here. He has his punchers chance but Parker just needs to stand his ground, be aggressive and bully Wardley. I'd be looking to match Wardley up with Dubois because Dubois will come for a fight and has less IQ than Parker. Maybe even Bakole would be good for Wardley stylewise although I expect Bakole to do him.

I'd be very surprised if we didn't see Wardley vs Dubois within the next 2-3 years. Regardless of the outcome of their next fights.

[KiwiRider]

I even wonder what would have happened if Huni had the full camp that he would have wanted.

He didn’t need a full camp to beat him. He was beating him handily.

Wardley is a Wilder. If he lands eventually, he might put you out. And even the KD was bullshit. Ref could have given him time. He was quick to end it.

You really don't like Justis Huni very much if you wanted him to keep going there. "Time"? Time to what, get absolutely slaughtered?

He was winning the fight, and got up, and had his hands up ready to continue.
That deserved a second chance.
Have a look at the clip I posted earlier, maybe you have forgotten?

[Bigdogsnose]

I like this fight. Think fabio will get stopped, but so what. Not many stepping stones in between who he has been beating to parker so he may as well go for it.

Theres always that chance with wardley that he can spark you, so put him in wuth anyone.

[Bobbyptsd]

He was winning the fight, got up, put his hands up, and was completely out of it. He would have gotten destroyed at that point. I just watched it yesterday.
Fwiw I'm not saying I don't think Huni could still have a succesful career or perhaps could win a rematch, as I said I agree he was winning going away up until that shot. But he was done at that point.

[golden_labrador]

He didn’t need a full camp to beat him. He was beating him handily.

Wardley is a Wilder. If he lands eventually, he might put you out. And even the KD was bullshit. Ref could have given him time. He was quick to end it.

You really don't like Justis Huni very much if you wanted him to keep going there. "Time"? Time to what, get absolutely slaughtered?

He was winning the fight, and got up, and had his hands up ready to continue.
That deserved a second chance.
Have a look at the clip I posted earlier, maybe you have forgotten?

Huni was saved there

[Controversial]

Parker will beat him, too rounded a fighter for Wardley who really just has power on his side. We saw what Huni was doing most of the fight and Parker is on the form of his life.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Officially announced!

[tiny_acres]

Parker will beat him, too rounded a fighter for Wardley who really just has power on his side. We saw what Huni was doing most of the fight and Parker is on the form of his life.

I agree. Parker is at his peak performance lately.
If Wardley pulls this off it would be my upset of the year

[mickey1975]

Ppv

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ppv

Is it ??

[SeanBrennan]

Ppv

Will this really be PPV?

[mickey1975]

Ppv

Will this really be PPV?

Yes

[SeanBrennan]

Ppv

Will this really be PPV?

Yes

thanks Mickey. Jesus

[KiwiRider]

Guess I will be avoiding spoilers until it is free to view.
PPV
It's not even a title fight unless Parker is gifted a belt first.

[Kilburn]

Itauma v Whyte has set the bar (and I bought that fight so am culpable).