Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley are chucking the dice at The O2 on October 25, DAZN PPV. Two interim straps on the table, WBO for Parker, WBA for Wardley and winner’s right up there in the queue behind Fury and Usyk.
Parker’s been there, seen it, lost it, rebuilt it. Wardley’s still unbeaten, chin high, throwing bombs like it’s all fun and games. That’s why it works. Someone’s night is getting wrecked.
Parker’s second life
The Kiwi looked done after Joyce smashed him in 2022. Since then? Wilder, Zhang, Bakole — all handled. That’s not journeyman stuff, those are top-contenders. He’s 33, not ancient in heavyweight terms, but he knows there ain’t time for slip-ups. He boxes neat, economical, doesn’t waste energy.
Wardley? He’s the opposite. Raw, rough, wings hooks like he’s trying to take heads off, but he’s putting lads away. Ask Justis Huni — sparked in Ipswich, fans lost their minds. He had that barnburner with Frazer Clarke, first a draw, then iced him in one round in the rematch. He’s got that belief you can’t coach.
“I’ve shown I belong at this level, and I’m only getting better,” Wardley told DAZN after the Huni win. “People can doubt me all they like, but they can’t deny what they’ve seen in the ring.”
Who’s got the edge?
Frank Warren’s calling it “even money.” Maybe. Parker’s savvy, knows how to ride storms. Wardley’s fresh, doesn’t know how to lose. Styles could clash nicely — Parker tidy, Wardley reckless.
But here’s the context fans need: Usyk holds all the real gold. Fury hovers, Dubois, Hrgovic, Joshua all clogging the lane. Whoever wins here isn’t skipping that queue, but they’re bang in the conversation for eliminators. It’s make-or-break positioning.
My Take
This one feels honest. Both risking their spot. And I’ll say it now — Wardley’s fun, but Parker’s got too much in the locker. Don’t be shocked if the Brit gets humbled. If I’m wrong? Then Wardley rips his way into world-title talk for real.
Event details:
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Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
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Venue: The O2 Arena, London, UK
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Streaming: Live worldwide on DAZN PPV