Fabio Wardley and Joseph Parker Set to Offer ‘Antidote’ to Boxing’s Chaos at the O2
Fabio Wardley insists that his upcoming bout with Joseph Parker this Saturday at London’s O2 Arena represents “the antidote” to the modern nonsense in boxing.
The heavyweight clash, streaming live on DAZN PPV, brings together two of the sport’s top contenders after a build-up remarkably free from the usual trash talk.
Parker, widely regarded as one of boxing’s most approachable figures, faces an equally focused opponent in Wardley, who has no interest in stirring conflict.
“I think we are the antidote to all of that,” Wardley said. “Especially in British boxing.
“When you have someone who wants to get loud and mouthy in your face, you want to shut them up. But also, there’s another aspect to that. Look, if you’re going to be a time waster, then go waste someone else’s time.
“Leave me alone. I don’t want to hang around for that. I’ve stayed very consistent in my career in wanting to stay busy, stay active, challenge the best, and move forward.”
Both men hold interim versions of heavyweight world titles, with Ring magazine belts currently under the stewardship of undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. Saturday’s winner will be next in line to challenge Usyk in 2026.
Wardley is particularly proud that the bout is taking place on home soil.
Frank Warren has confirmed that the winner of Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley on Saturday night, will fight Oleksandr Usyk next. pic.twitter.com/4bPTeZ6OC9
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) October 23, 2025
“Obviously, a lot of big fights are overseas, elsewhere, at the moment, so to get two massive top-10 or even top-five heavyweights in the world in the capital, at the O2 for everyone to come and see or to tune in for, it’s a fantastic thing to be able to give to the fans here.
“British fans are some of the best fans in the world, they do love their boxing and the O2 will be vibrating on the 25th, and you know the kind of atmosphere they bring.”
Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) enters the contest in blistering form, boasting six consecutive wins, including triumphs over Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder, and Martin Bakole.
Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs), meanwhile, has an interesting connection to Parker’s past defeats—his manager Dillian Whyte and gym-mate Anthony Joshua both bested Parker in 2018.
On whether he plans to seek insight from them, Wardley said: “I’ve got my own in-house team. As a team, Dillian Whyte has already beaten Parker. We’re 1-0 up.
“So I don’t even necessarily need to go over to AJ and ask him because I can ask the in-house as well. But I also wouldn’t put too much stock in that either because it’s a different Joseph Parker from back then.
This is a new Joseph Parker with a new trainer, new team, new run, a bit of a new style, and the way he goes about things.
“I think he has more IQ in the ring and just a bit more comfortable in himself as a boxer and in his skill set.
“There might be areas I might have a conversation with the team about, but ultimately I want to do my own assessment and look at him for what he is now and what he has been in these last few fights.”
The Wardley vs Parker showdown promises a return to straightforward, competitive boxing at a time when the sport has seen a surge of novelty bouts and unregulated fights. For UK fans, it’s a heavyweight night to savor.
