Joseph Parker v Fabio Wardley, heavyweight bout - All you need to know

Joseph Parker v Fabio Wardley, London’s O2 Arena, Sunday October 26, fight time around 10am

Joseph Parker has been in a frustrating state of limbo while waiting on boxing’s governing bodies to determine whether he will get his chance to challenge Ukrainian kingpin Oleksandr Usyk for the coveted undisputed status.

Usyk holds the IBF, WBO, WBC and IBO world titles after his last definitive knockout victory over Daniel Dubois in July improved his record to 24-0 and confirmed his pedigree as the dominant force of this generation.

Parker remains the mandatory challenger for the WBO title but Usyk has since been granted an extension in nonexistent negotiations after citing a back injury.

Rather than sit idle and wait for the WBO to strip Usyk of that title because of his reluctance to fight Parker in favour of seeking a larger payday, the Kiwi has instead accepted a lucrative offer to square off against the 19-0-1 Wardley.

The fight is for Parker’s WBO interim and Wardley’s WBC interim titles.

Tale of the tape

Joseph Parker

Record: 36-3 (24 KOs)

Age: 33

Height: 6 foot 4 (193cm)

Reach: 193cm

Stance: Orthodox

Fabio Wardley

Record: 19-0-1 (18 KOs)

Age: 30

Height: 6 foot 5 (196cm)

Reach: 198cm

Stance: Orthodox

Who is Fabio Wardley?

The 30-year-old Brit has an impressive professional record having yet to lose in 20 fights. Most recently he knocked out Aussie Justis Huni to claim the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title - a fight that was originally set to be against American veteran Jarrell Miller before he withdrew.

Huni was on top on the scorecard against Wardley before the Brit knocked him out in the 10th round.

“He’s one of the nicest guys you could meet in boxing – as is Joe Parker, by the way. They’re both lovely fellas,” says promoter Frank Warren said.

“But Fabio, you’ve got to take your hat off to him. No amateur background, gone out there and done it the hard way and beaten good fighters. He’s as tough as old boots. He’s a fighting man. Nothing fazes him, and he really does believe he’s going to win this fight. He believes in himself.”

What time is the Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight?

The bout gets under way at 10am on Sunday at London’s 02 Arena.

Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight card

• Lewis Edmondson v Ezra Taylor (Light heavyweight)
• Denzel Bentley v Endry Saavedra (Middleweight bout)
• Royston Barney-Smith v Danny Quartermaine (Super-featherweight bout)

Joseph Parker and TAB odds

Fight result: Parker $1.22, Wardley $4.50 and draw $94

Parker points or decision: $3

Parker KO/TKO: $1.83

Wardley points or decision: $13

Wardley KO/TKO: $6

How to watch in New Zealand

Parker v Wardley, live only on DAZN for $49.99 this Sunday from 6.30am. Main event expected 10.30am*. Subject to change.

The Herald will be providing live updates from 8am.