Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley – Everything You Need to Know
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley will fight on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at The O2 Arena in London. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger for undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Both fighters hold interim world titles – Parker owns the WBO version while Wardley holds the WBA belt.
Betting Odds and Analysis
Parker enters as the heavy favorite at odds of 1/5 (-500) with most bookmakers, giving him approximately a 79% chance of victory. Wardley sits at around 7/2 (+350), representing roughly a 21% chance of pulling off the upset.
The odds, one can see at VBET, have moved slightly, with Parker opening at 27/100 but drifting to current levels, while Wardley shortened from 29/10 to his present price.
Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley
This fight carries enormous significance for both careers. The WBO granted Usyk a 90-day medical extension due to injury, delaying Parker’s mandatory title shot. Rather than wait, both fighters agreed to face each other with the winner earning the next shot at Usyk’s undisputed crown.
Promoter Frank Warren emphasized the stakes, noting that both fighters could have protected their positions but chose to risk everything: “For the winner, it will be all, and for the loser, it will be nothing because he will go back down the queue”.
Parker, now 33, brings extensive world-level experience to the ring. The New Zealander held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016-2018 before losing it to Anthony Joshua. His record stands at 36-3 with 24 knockouts, including a 67% knockout ratio. Parker has transformed his career since partnering with trainer Andy Lee, winning six straight fights after his knockout loss to Joe Joyce in September 2022. Recent victories include knockouts of Martin Bakole and impressive wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
Wardley presents a different challenge entirely. The 30-year-old Englishman remains undefeated at 19-0-1 with 18 knockouts, representing a devastating 95% finishing rate. Standing 6’5″ with a 78-inch reach, Wardley possesses significant physical advantages over the 6’4″ Parker. The Ipswich fighter captured attention with his brutal first-round knockout of Frazer Clarke in their October 2024 rematch, avenging an earlier draw. His most recent victory came via tenth-round knockout over Justis Huni in June 2025, demonstrating his ability to find finishing shots even when trailing on the scorecards.
Parker relies on boxing technique, ring intelligence, and the ability to mix his punches effectively. His experience in 12-round contests and against elite competition gives him clear advantages in the later rounds. However, analysts point to his vulnerability against aggressive pressure fighters, citing his losses to Joyce and Dillian Whyte as potential blueprints for Wardley.
Wardley’s path to victory centers on his devastating punching power and relentless pressure. Boxing analyst Sergio Mora believes Wardley could potentially stop Parker, comparing the situation to Joyce’s knockout victory over the New Zealander. Wardley’s fights average just 3.6 rounds compared to Parker’s 6.5, highlighting his explosive finishing ability.
Parker currently ranks second in The Ring magazine’s heavyweight ratings, while Wardley sits sixth. Both fighters compete in boxing’s most prestigious division, with world rankings reflecting their elite status. The WBO lists Parker as their interim champion and number one contender, while the WBA recognizes Wardley in their interim role.
This contest represents a crossroads for both careers. Parker seeks to reclaim world championship status at age 33, viewing this as potentially his final opportunity for heavyweight glory. Wardley aims to establish himself among the division’s elite, using Parker’s scalp as proof of his world-class credentials. The winner advances to face Usyk for undisputed glory, while the loser faces an uncertain path back to title contention.
