Joseph Parker insists that his heavyweight showdown against Fabio Wardley won’t risk his pursuit of a title shot.
Parker is currently the WBO’s number one contender and next in line to face undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk however, a loss against Wardley may leave that fight in jeopardy.
The New Zealander is confident he will end Fabio Wardley’s 20-fight unbeaten record as they prepare to face off at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
He has warned Wardley to expect ‘levels’ during their heavyweight clash: “I’ve got many miles on the clock and I’ve got many more to bring.”
“I’m only getting into my prime now. Credit to Wardley for taking this fight, but it’s the wrong time to be taking this fight because I’m going to smash him.”
Parker enters the bout following a run of impressive wins over heavyweight giants Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole to extend his record to 36-3-0, consisting of 24 knockouts.
The Ring Magazine’s Louis Hart believes Parker’s experience will be vital to overcome Wardley: “Parker having clear experience is an upper hand, like most people Wardley fights, but you’re always in with a chance with someone when you have the equaliser.”
“He will need to box carefully but experience will play a massive role in certain scenarios that he’s been in.”
Briton Wardley defeated Justis Huni back in June, with a shock one-punch knockout in the 10th round, although trailing on the scorecards.
Despite boasting an impressive 95% knockout rate (18 from 19 wins), Wardley hopes to showcase more than just his power: “Just because my record is littered with highlight-reel knockouts, I think people get distracted by that and take away my actual boxing skills which set up those punches or brought me to those moments.”
“If you think I’ll be running around that ring with my right hand ready to go, then there’s a lot more you and the team will need to prepare for.”
The heavyweight clash has been dubbed ‘All or Nothing’, with the potential to boost or derail Parker’s chances of a title shot, or catapult Ipswich’s Wardley to the very top of his 10-year boxing career.
by @ChloBoyne
