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

[coneye]

Parker for me probably stops Wardley . A lucky punch Ko for fabio would.bt suprise but for me Wardley cannot box well enough and whats more with Davidson training him hes not gonna get better Huni shown just how little Wardley progressed under boxercise Ben . Whats more i.ll go has far has to say Moses will regress if he stays where he is

[KiwiRider]

Parker for me probably stops Wardley . A lucky punch Ko for fabio would.bt suprise but for me Wardley cannot box well enough and whats more with Davidson training him hes not gonna get better Huni shown just how little Wardley progressed under boxercise Ben . Whats more i.ll go has far has to say Moses will regress if he stays where he is

If Wardley came out like he did in the second Clarke fight, I think that's his best chance.
Also, I think there is a place in a fighters training for a guy like Ben Davidson. Maybe not lead, but he does have good success with stamina and shape.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley are grateful rather than hateful ahead of October 25 fight

Rather than hate, or even dislike, the feeling that unites Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley ahead of their October 25 heavyweight clash in London appears to be gratitude.

With both men keen to stay active and capitalise on momentum, they are grateful to have crossed paths at exactly this point in their respective careers.

For Wardley, a fight against Parker next month represents the kind of step up he needs, whereas for Parker, the more experienced of the two, the option of Wardley is a handy one to have when waiting for a well-earned shot at world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

“It’s very important in a career not to get stuck, or stagnant, and to know that the people managing and looking after you – Frank [Warren], Queensberry [Promotions] – can deliver on their word and say, ‘Look, if you see an opportunity and you want to go for it, we can put those pieces together for you,’” said Wardley this afternoon, speaking on talkSPORT. “They have done exactly that – for me and for Joe as well. The rest is left to us now.”

“I’m just happy I have a fight,” said Parker, sharing Wardley’s relief. “I’m happy Fabio put up his hand and agreed to this fight. I want to keep busy. I want to fight as often as I can. Fighting once or twice a year is no good. So I’m very happy we have a fight locked in. It is respect [between us], but we both know that when fight-time comes, all that goes out the window.”

In addition to gratitude, there is something else unusual tethering the pair: respect. In fact, so amiable are Parker and Wardley, both generally and in one another’s company, one wonders whether the fight between them will catch light at all until it must – that is, when the first bell rings on October 25. Ask them both and they will tell you they are convinced the fight sells itself, yet, equally, it would be remiss not to mention that it takes place at London’s O2 Arena – where the capacity is set for 16,000 – and will be sold as a DAZN pay-per-view.

“I think he has got a great story,” Parker, from New Zealand, said of his next opponent. “He came from a white-collar background and he’s got good knockout power. He’s knocked out 18 opponents in 20 fights [19 wins and one No Contest] and in his last fight [against Justis Huni] he showed that he can pull it out of the bag if things do get tough and hard.”

Warldey, for his part, was just as complimentary. “I think he’s [Parker] a fantastic fighter who has had a fantastic career as well,” said the Ipswich man. “He started out great, world champion, had a little pivot in the middle, but showed his grit and resilience to pick himself back up and pull himself together. He came off a few knockdowns, losses, whatever you want to call them, and then just took out top heavyweight after top heavyweight to put himself in this mandatory position with the WBO. It’s nothing but admirable. I can’t admire him much more in that sense.”

While it is true that admiration – mutual admiration – is never a go-to tool to effectively sell a fight, it is just as true that the potential for disappointment with Parker and Wardley is lower than it would be for most other heavyweights. Open books, both in the ring and away from it, Parker and Wardley seldom veer from the script or surprise you. Even rarer is it that they disappoint you.

“From me it’s pretty obvious what you get,” said Wardley. “I’m drama and entertainment – one way or the other. You can either pick the first Frazer [Clarke] fight, where it’s a 12-round war, or the second Frazer fight, where it’s a one-round blowout. Take your pick. It can be one of the other – or anywhere in the middle.

“I think the perfect thing about this fight is that it doesn’t need all the selling and prancing around and tables flipping and the kicking off at press conferences. That’s not my thing and I’m pretty sure it’s not Joe’s thing either.

“This fight sells itself. You look at our styles, you look at how we approach fights, and you just know that when we get in the ring together neither of us will be too keen on taking a back step. It’s going to be fireworks.”

As for who wins, even on that subject both were noncommittal. Parker, the favourite, refused to accept that distinction, preferring instead to train as an underdog; a role in which he has had a lot of recent success. Wardley, on the other hand, understands why Parker would be the pre-fight favourite and made no attempt to argue against it.

“Since the fight was announced the general talk is that Joe is the obvious favourite and I’m expected to lose because he’s more proven and he’s more experienced and he’s been at world level before,” said Wardley, 19-0-1 (18 KOs). “This is my first step into that realm. I’m not just dipping my toe; I’m jumping headfirst into the water, really.

“But I think that’s been a running theme for I don’t know how many fights now and every time I seem to find a way to win. There are many qualities it takes to be a world champion and maybe not doing things perfectly but finding a way to win is one of those as well.”

“A lot of people say I’m the favourite, but I don’t see myself as favourite,” said Parker, 36-3 (24 KOs). “I’m treating this as my championship-of-the-world fight. That’s how you should treat every fight. I’m taking this guy very seriously. I’m in Ireland preparing and zoning in on what he brings.”

Parker added: “I don’t think it’s going to go the distance. We’ll be prepared if it does, but I don’t think so.”

It was, in the final analysis, about as close as either man came to upsetting their opposite number.

[Ruthless-RKO]

‘I’m treating this as my championship of the world fight’: Joseph Parker not taking Fabio Wardley lightly

Joseph Parker says he couldn’t afford to sit around and wait for shot at Oleksandr Usyk.



Wardley on the perception of his fight with Parker
“Since the fight was announced the general talk is Joe is the obvious favorite and the general talk is — not that I’m coming into to lose at all — but I’m expected to lose because he’s more proven, more experience, been at world level before and this is my first step into that realm.

“But I think that’s been a running theme for I don’t know how many fights now…every time I seem to find a way to win. There’s many qualities it takes to be a world champion and maybe not doing things perfectly but finding a way to win is one of those as well.”

Parker on how he views his fight with Wardley
“I don’t see myself as the favorite. I’m treating this as my championship of the world fight. That’s how you should treat every fight. I’m taking this guy very seriously and I’ve been building way back in New Zealand and now I’m in Ireland, zoning in on what I have to do to prepare for what he brings.”

Parker on any disappointment he feels about not fighting Usyk instead of Wardley
“No, no. I can just fight whoever’s in front of me and that’s what I can control. That fight will come down the line. If it does, great. If it doesn’t, so be it. But whoever is in front of me, that’s who I’m going to deal with.”

Parker on whether he believes Usyk is really injured, stalling their negotiations
“He looked injured when he was dancing [laughs]…What’s the injury? Back injury? Who knows. He deserves time off and when he does come back hopefully we can get it on down the line.”

Parker on immediately taking the Wardley fight instead of waiting for Usyk
“What’s the point of waiting? I’m not getting any younger. I need to fight, I need to keep busy, and I want to fight as often as I can so I’m very happy this fight is locked in.”

Wardley on what kind of fight we can expect
“I think from me it’s pretty obvious what you get. I’m drama and entertainment one way or the other. You can pick the first Frazer fight where it’s a 12-round war or you can pick the second Frazer fight where it’s a one-round blowout. Take your pick, it can be one or the other or anywhere in the middle.

“I think the perfect thing about this fight is that it doesn’t need all the la-di-da and all the selling and all the prancing around and tables flipping and kicking off at press conferences and all of that…This fight sells itself. You look at our styles, you look at how we approach fights and you just know when we get in the ring together you know that neither of us is going to be too keen about taking a back step. So it’s going to be fireworks, it’s going to be drama one way or another.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Below is a selection of key quotes from this media event.

allegedly

“Why is this fight so significant? Because you’ve got two guys who don’t need to fight each other. Both are Interim champions. Usyk is out for 90 days and the WBO have said that at the end of those 90 days he has to defend that belt or he will be stripped or vacate it.

“So this fight is made because the winner of it will be the man who will be the next challenger to Usyk. It is as simple as that. If he doesn’t fight them, the winner could be declared champion.

“You’ve got to take your hat off to both of them. They are not waiting their turn. The WBO is next and Joe wants to fight and not wait until next year. With Fabio, he sees this as a shortcut or you could be waiting for two years until you get your chance, if the champion fights two times a year.

“Fabio is seizing his chance and, as he says, it could be a defining moment for him. He has the desire, he is a KO specialist and he is putting it all on the line, as is Joe Parker.

“For the winner it will be all and for the loser it will be nothing because he will go back down the queue.

“That is what this fight is all about, two fighting men putting it all on the line, to go out there and fight for the right to fight for the four belts.”

Joseph Parker

“Walking towards the fire? I love the fire. I’ve fought a lot of fighters out there who are big punchers and they haven’t been able to get me out of there, so credit to Fabio Wardley for taking this fight.

“We could have sat and waited for Usyk, when he is ready or not injured, but we as fighters are showing that we will fight anyone at any time. I think this is going to be a great fight. I know Wardley is determined and says he has ticked all the boxes and got the rounds in that he needs to have a big fight like this. But fighting someone like myself is very different from fighting everyone else he has fought.

“I bring a lot of experience, belief and determination and I will win come 25th October.

“There are levels. They do say there are levels in boxing and I believe with the experience that I have and what I have been working on in New Zealand, I have got a good base and I am excited to see what I can do in the ring.”

Fabio Wardley

“This will be a huge moment in my career, a defining moment, probably. I am committed to that saying of ‘big fights only’ because I have not come here to play around. I have not made it this far in my career to just hang about and wait for things to be handed to me.

“I am very much a go-getter. I have made my way through the WBA rankings and have got myself into a fantastic position there but, if that doesn’t go how we planned, I am not going to sit in the wings and wait, I am going to be in Frank’s ear and say ‘what is the next best opportunity here, what is the next best thing?’

“With Oleksandr Usyk tied up at the moment, there isn’t a better competitor in the division right now than the No.2 man Joseph Parker.

“I think at this stage of my career I have ticked off the right amount of milestones. The right amount of ups, downs, roller coaster moments that I have enough experience now to take me through into a top-level fight. I have been saying for a while now that I think I deserve to be mentioned alongside those names.

“People maybe still have reservations and question marks, so October 25th is where I get to wipe that all clean by beating Joseph Parker and announcing really and truly that I am shoulder to shoulder with those kind of guys.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

INJURY PREVENTED DANIEL DUBOIS FROM COMEBACK FIGHT AGAINST JOSEPH PARKER ON OCT. 25

allegedly has revealed that an injury to Daniel Dubois prevented him from fighting Joseph Parker on October 25 instead of Fabio Wardley.

The o2 Arena clash between Queensberry-promoted duo Parker and Wardley on that date was officially confirmed at a launch press conference in central London on Tuesday.

Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) is the current WBO interim champion and next in line to face undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk. The New Zealander had been hoping to get his shot next but when an injury ruled Usyk out for another few months, Parker decided to fight in the meantime.

Now Warren says it was a different British puncher who had emerged as their first option only for another injury to allow WBA interim champion Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) to jump in and get his chance instead.

Dubois’ last outing ended in a crushing fifth round defeat to Usyk, who recaptured the IBF title at Wembley Stadium on July 19. The 28-year-old has since split with trainer Don Charles and has been linked with a move to Essex-based Tony Sims.

Whoever is in his corner, Dubois is not expected back in the ring until January earliest which precluded him from facing Parker.

Warren said: “Daniel has got to get himself back in the swing but he won’t fight again until the new year, he’s got an injury.

“We were trying to make Joe against Daniel for this October show but he’s injured and that’s how Fabio jumped in.”

Parker and Dubois were infamously matched for a Riyadh Season clash on February 22 at ANB Arena only for the Englishman to pull out during fight week citing illness. Parker, who lost out on his shot at the IBF title as a result, instead boxed last-gasp replacement Martin Bakole, who he stopped in the second round. That was the 33-year-old’s last outing.

Wardley, 30, returns to the ring for the first time since he stopped Justis Huni in the 10th round of their dramatic June clash.

[Ruthless-RKO]

JOSEPH PARKER INSISTS FABIO WARDLEY'S NEW STORY ENDS NEXT MONTH: 'THERE ARE LEVELS'

LONDON, England — Since breezing past an overweight Martin Bakole some seven months ago, Joseph Parker has been adamant he wants to be kept busy and active in an ever-changing heavyweight landscape.

The WBO mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk will meet another of the glamour division's interim world champions in unbeaten beltholder Fabio Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) to headline The O2 Arena in six weeks' time on DAZN PPV.

Queensberry chief allegedly, who promotes both, declared this was another case of all or nothing between two fighting men who didn't need to meet one another. They could've waited and instead retained their elevated standing, awaiting positive news.

Yet stagnation is not in their nature. Steady activity has brought both to this critical juncture in their careers. Parker's rebuild after an 11th-round stoppage defeat by Joe Joyce - three years this month - exemplifies why heavyweights should stay busy.

The 33-year-old's manager, David Higgins, was perhaps piling on the hyperbole when asking rhetorically whether his recent three-fight run of Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole could be topped by any heavyweight in history.

Wardley and his manager Michael Ofo couldn't help smile at one another in response to the comment, almost as if they knew something we didn't. When asked why he accepted this risky opportunity, one made on relatively short-notice, Parker took it all in stride.

"Walking towards the fire ... I love the fire, I fought a lot of fighters out there, big punchers, who haven't been able to get me out of there. I want to give credit to Fabio for taking this fight, could've sat and waited for Usyk when he's ready or not injured but as fighters, we're showing we fight anyone, anytime.

"It's going to be a great fight, he says he's ticked off all the boxes and got the rounds in that he needs to have a big fight like this but fighting a person like myself is very different to anyone else he's fought.

"I bring a lot of experience, belief, determination and I will win come October 25. There are levels, I believe with the experience I have, what I've been working on with George [Lockhart, his nutritionist] in New Zealand, I've got a good base and am excited to see what I'm gonna bring.

"It's a great story, starting off as a white collar fighter, he's progressed in his professional career and we've seen him improve every time he's stepped into the ring - that's the old story. He has a new story now, but that story is different and October 25, it stops there. Parker win, I'm going to go home and celebrate, eat some nice junk food."

[KiwiRider]

Two guys who put their hand up, and are just happy to have a fight.
Isn't that refreshing?
Stay retired Tyson Fury, your era of d*cking everyone around is gone

[CaptainSpacerod]

Parker for me probably stops Wardley . A lucky punch Ko for fabio would.bt suprise but for me Wardley cannot box well enough and whats more with Davidson training him hes not gonna get better Huni shown just how little Wardley progressed under boxercise Ben . Whats more i.ll go has far has to say Moses will regress if he stays where he is

There’s quite a list of top level fighters who’’d disagree with your assessment of Ben

And why would allegedly jeopardise his share of the future millions,that we’re all told generational talent Moses will surely generate, by leaving him in the hands of a trainer who won’t improve him ?

At some point the naysayers are gonna have to grudgingly accept that Ben’s longevity in the sport and star studded client list are proof that he has a lot more to offer than a decent keep fit routine.

[Evander]

Love this match up

[Boxerbeetle]

I’ve had about 6 emails from Queensbury about this today trying to flog tickets

[joshj909]

I’ve had about 6 emails from Queensbury about this today trying to flog tickets

So did I. I'm interested in the main event but the rumoured undercard fights don't make it feel value for money.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Obligatory reminder that “PPV is dead” on DAZN.

[CaptainSpacerod]

DAZN need to wake up and smell the coffee

Casual boxing fans who might fancy watching Parker Wardley next month will balk at the PPV price for two non elite fighters and remember that they watched two superstars face off for free on Netflix a few weeks earlier.

I wonder how many buys they had for Moses v Whyte, I doubt this will do many more

[Oiky]

Dont know what they are thinking at DAZN at times

[Ruthless-RKO]

I’ve had about 6 emails from Queensbury about this today trying to flog tickets

So did I. I'm interested in the main event but the rumoured undercard fights don't make it feel value for money.

What’s rumoured?

[joshj909]

I’ve had about 6 emails from Queensbury about this today trying to flog tickets

So did I. I'm interested in the main event but the rumoured undercard fights don't make it feel value for money.

What’s rumoured?

Denzel Bentley vs Endry Saavedra (12 rounds)
Lewis Edmondson vs Ezra Taylor (12 rounds)
Royston Barney-Smith vs Danny Quartermaine

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nah.
Not feeling it

[Cyclops]

I’ve had about 6 emails from Queensbury about this today trying to flog tickets

So did I. I'm interested in the main event but the rumoured undercard fights don't make it feel value for money.

I’m broke at the moment but I had a look at the prices anyway. I don’t know what I was expecting but tickets seem quite expensive.

If it’s a fight I’ve been excited about for a while, I would find the money regardless. For some reason, this isn’t one of them.

There are still a lot of empty seats.

[Cyclops]

So did I. I'm interested in the main event but the rumoured undercard fights don't make it feel value for money.

What’s rumoured?

Denzel Bentley vs Endry Saavedra (12 rounds)
Lewis Edmondson vs Ezra Taylor (12 rounds)
Royston Barney-Smith vs Danny Quartermaine

Seems like, with big events in the UK at least, all the money goes to the main event fighters and the undercard is dreary filler. Gone are the days of an actual co- main event or decent chief support.

Without the Saudis bankrolling it, Fwank and co don’t seem to think anything actually good on an undercard is worth the bother.

[Cyclops]

Parker for me probably stops Wardley . A lucky punch Ko for fabio would.bt suprise but for me Wardley cannot box well enough and whats more with Davidson training him hes not gonna get better Huni shown just how little Wardley progressed under boxercise Ben . Whats more i.ll go has far has to say Moses will regress if he stays where he is

There’s quite a list of top level fighters who’’d disagree with your assessment of Ben

And why would allegedly jeopardise his share of the future millions,that we’re all told generational talent Moses will surely generate, by leaving him in the hands of a trainer who won’t improve him ?

At some point the naysayers are gonna have to grudgingly accept that Ben’s longevity in the sport and star studded client list are proof that he has a lot more to offer than a decent keep fit routine.

You’re right that they must see something in him, but you have to admit that more than once his fighters have gone in and gutted their way through a gruelling pummelling before pulling out a punch from the Gods, with Ben taking credit for “the game-plan” afterwards.

[Ruthless-RKO]

FABIO WARDLEY OUT TO PROVE HE'S NO ONE-TRICK PONY AGAINST JOSEPH PARKER

LONDON, England - Fabio Wardley’s Portman Road dream was on the verge of turning into a nightmare when a memorable Suffolk punch knocked Justis Huni out midway through the 10th round of their rain-soaked clash in June.

But, exactly 140 days later, Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) is well aware that he cannot rely on finding another eraser in that fashion against the experienced former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker at the o2 Arena.

Wardley’s 94.74 per cent KO ratio is not matched by any undefeated male fighter in any other division and there is an argument that he is currently the most-dangerous one-punch fighter at heavyweight right now.

The Huni fight, which looked to be heading towards a reasonably lopsided points defeat, was evidence of that but Wardley insists he has no intention of relying on a one-punch turnaround against Parker on Oct. 25, live on DAZN PPV.

“It’s probably a more difficult question with someone like Joseph Parker,” said Wardley. “He has proven he can get in with the biggest punchers, take a shot and get back up.

“So I’ll know in my head that, look, if I hit him, there’s a strong likelihood that he might make it to his feet again. But I'm also renowned for being a great finisher as well when I have my opponents hurt or rocked so I'm not going to let off the gas.”

On his one-punch power, he added: “That little kind of trick is good to have in the back pocket and it’s good to have it there but there are other aspects of my game and other facets I would like to show off in this fight. So hopefully I get the opportunity to do that.

"But if there’s a moment where I do land that big shot and I do become that one-punch KO artist, I’m not going to say ‘no’. A win is a win at the end of the day.”

Parker has won six in a row since his September 2022 defeat to Joe Joyce, thanks to victories over noted punchers like Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.

The former WBC champion from Tuscaloosa, Alabama was once considered one of the biggest punchers in history but he was unable to make a dent in Parker throughout their 12 rounds in Riyadh on December 23, 2023.

Wardley added: “There are question marks around the kind of Wilder that he beat, but you can't take that away because the last thing a fighter loses is their power, so he could have turned that on at any moment. But Parker was able to neutralise him in that fight and not let him get that right hand off.

“This fight is a big step up for me but I’ve never taken a step back in my career really. I’ve always kept moving forward, picking up titles and things. Every opponent has been better than the last one for one reason or another.

“They’ve always offered something different so it has always been about moving forward. Maybe this one's a slightly bigger jump compared to the rest, but all in all, full faith in myself and full belief that I'll come through and get the win.

“I'm truly very ready. Me and the team are putting together a fantastic game plan. I have all faith in them, all faith in myself in terms of being fit, ready and healthy to go. So I’m just looking for an entertaining night back at the o2.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[KiwiRider]

Bloody David Higgins
Those two acting like they just chugged a few lines.