Parker, Wardley Near Finalising October 25 London Fight

Joseph Parker, the WBO interim heavyweight champion, is close to finalizing a fight with undefeated British heavyweight Fabio Wardley on October 25 at London's O2 Arena. Parker, who has had limited ring time in the past 17 months, had been waiting for a title shot against undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk, but Usyk's injury and delays in negotiations have prompted Parker to seek an active fight. Wardley, the WBA interim champion, recently scored a dramatic knockout victory over Justis Huni and is preparing for what is considered a significant bout in the division. The winner of Parker vs. Wardley will be positioned to challenge Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title, with the possibility that the fight could be for the full WBO belt if Usyk vacates or is stripped of the title due to his injury. Parker's promoter sees the fight as a necessary step to keep Parker active, despite Wardley being viewed as less experienced. Both fighters will be preparing rigorously for this high-stakes matchup, which could set the stage for a 2026 showdown with Usyk.