London, England Ring Magazine. Queensberry Promotions are on the verge of finalising a heavyweight showdown between Lupesoliai Laaulialemalietoa Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley.
The Ring understands the two leading contenders are set to meet at London’s o2 Arena on October 25 in a clash between the WBO and WBA interim beltholders, who are both currently promoted by Frank Warren and Queensberry.
The bout would be streamed live on DAZN.
WBO mandatory challenger Parker had been hoping to finally secure a shot at two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk next but an apparent back injury to the Ukrainian means that will have to wait.
(Though recent videos of the Ukrainian dancing in public are going viral prompting the WBO to seek medical proof of his said injury.)
But 33-year-old Parker (36-3, 24 KOs), who has had just five minutes and 17 seconds of competitive action in the past 17 months, has decided not to wait around any longer.
Laaulialemalietoa has instead agreed to take on the undefeated Wardley in what will be his first headline fight in London since he lost to Dillian Whyte in 2018.
As reported by The Ring, the New Zealander arrived back in Dublin late last week in order to kick off his training camp with Andy Lee with just eight weeks until fight night.
Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs), meanwhile, has been out of the ring since his dramatic knockout victory against Justis Huni at Portman Road, Ipswich in June.
Wardley was trailing 89-82 on two of the cards and 88-83 on the other when he knocked out Huni with a stunning right hand midway through the 10th.
A week later, Wardley and his partner welcomed the arrival of their first child, a daughter, and the 30-year-old has spent time out of the gym as a result.
But, like Parker, he will now head back into camp as he prepares for what seems like one the best fights that could be made in the division.
The winner will put themselves at the front of the queue for a fight with Usyk and there is still a chance that the fight at the o2 could be for the full WBO title anyway.
The WBO ordered Usyk to defend against Parker last month but the champion’s team requested an extension on the negotiation period citing injury. However, when a video emerged on social media of Usyk dancing enthusiastically, the WBO ordered him to submit a medical prognosis on his condition.
Should Usyk choose to vacate the title, or if the WBO opt to strip him of it, their interim champion Parker will be elevated to full champion meaning his fight with Wardley would be the first defence of his reign.
The winner of that fight would then be in line for a 2026 showdown with Usyk, who could become a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion and four-time undisputed champion by beating whoever emerges victorious at the o2 later this year.
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