Boxing
Why the Joseph Parker-Fabio Wardley fight is the ultimate risk-reward fight
Published
8 months agoon
After Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Daniel Dubois in July, there was a predictable fight to enter the ring.
Officials, dignitaries, promoters and even, not surprisingly, Jake Paul pushed through the ropes to get into the spotlight.
But of all those who were among the crowds and chaos, one had a better reason than most to come face to face with the newly crowned, undisputed heavyweight champion.
Joseph Parker.
“I’m next,” he said respectfully to the Ukrainian, who didn’t answer much.
The official order came from the WBO a few days later: Usyk was to fight their interim champion.
It is generally agreed that if anyone deserved to fight Usyk, that is, by actually winning in the ring, it was Parker. But in reality, a fight was always unlikely. Usyk was injured and asked for additional recovery time, leaving Parker frustrated and in limbo.
The Up-to-date Zealander is currently on a winning streak that is widely regarded as one of, if not the, best in boxing, and he wants to make hay while the sun shines. Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole all faced Parker and lost, the latter by second-round knockout in February.
The success reignited Parker’s hopes of becoming a two-time heavyweight champion. But when Usyk dropped out, Parker started to get nervous.
Others would wait; trash talk on social media that has the boxing equivalent of a tantrum.
That’s not Parker’s style.
He feels best when he is energetic and tired of waiting. The result is a Saturday showdown in London against the striking, undefeated Fabio Wardley. A victory will put Parker in even greater pole position for the fight against Usyk, but he won’t be able to rest for a moment against Wardley, who knocked out Justis Huni in July when he was underdogs and heading for defeat.
“I think winning definitely puts you in that position,” Parker told ESPN. “But whether you succeed or not is a completely different story. The best approach to this fight is to go out there and have fun.
“And when you’re having fun, everything flows nicely, flows better, and you can get down to work and get it done.”
Parker also points out that while governing bodies can order fights and promoters want huge sales; there is one man who rules the heavyweight division.
“All these promoters can say, ‘you know what, whoever wins this fight will be next, and whoever does it will be next,’ but they don’t really have control over it,” Parker says from experience. “Usyk the one who actually shows he is in control.”
Parker knows that if he were to beat Wardley, Usyk would have no other choice if he wants the fight in the first half of 2026, with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury likely not exercising their options until the end of the year.
But it’s a huge risk.
Not only because it is a threatening fight, but Parker is walking on the tightrope of last chance if he wants to become a two-time world champion. Fortunately for Parker, he has recent experience facing huge men; the above-mentioned fighters who rely more on their power than their boxing skills.
But when you’re this close to the title, it doesn’t matter how good you look or how skillful you are. You just have to win. Wardley knows this better than most.
Heading towards defeat after largely losing to Huni, the Englishman unleashed a huge right hand in round 10. The Australian didn’t get up, suffering the same fate as Frazer Clarke, who lasted less than a round in his October 2024 rematch with Wardley.
Wardley’s punch left a perceptible mark on the side of Clarke’s head.
“I’m not saying I’m some Usyk… someone with all the skills. But the one thing I know how to do is win,” Wardley said after the Huni fight.
Maybe, but he hasn’t shared a ring with anyone at Parker’s level yet.
This makes for an intriguing matchup.
This is a fight that will either cost Parker the chance to fight Usyk, or the Ukrainian will be left with no choice but to fight him.
You may like
Boxing
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Published
54 minutes agoon
June 13, 2026
Roy Jones Jr has announced his price and is demanding an eight-figure purse if he is to make it through the ropes.
At his peak, the American became one of the best players to ever grace the sport, and his breathtaking speed and overall physical prowess made him seem almost unbeatable.
After winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and airy heavyweight, Jones even moved up to heavyweight and dethroned John Ruiz to win the WBA belt in 2003.
The pound-for-pound legend retired in 2018, when many thought his best days were behind him, only to take it to the next level exhibition match with Mike Tyson in 2020
Although it was a non-contest, many believed that Tyson outplayed Jones, who then returned professionally against Anthony Pettis and lost an eight-round decision to the former UFC champion in 2023.
Since then, the 57-year-old has remained on the safer side of the competition, but is now eyeing another comeback, this time against Misfits boxer Tommy Fury.
Having delved into the power side of the sport following previous professional victories over Jake Paul and KSI, Fury is now preparing to face former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.
I’m talking to Betting showroomJones said he would only be willing to challenge the 27-year-old if he was handsomely rewarded for his troubles.
“Is me vs. Tommy Fury dead? Nothing is dead forever. Roy Jones is still alive. Tommy Fury is still alive. Who knows? For the right money, it would make me go to the gym to get ready.”
“If they give me $10 million of course. Ten and more, yes. If they don’t give me $10 million and more, then no, I’m not wasting my time.”
Fury’s six-round exhibition match with Hall will take place later today at the Manchester Arena, although the result will not affect his professional record of 11-0 (4 KO).
“There are a confined number of fights and he can’t fight every fighter. So why don’t you consider that [Iglesias and Sheeraz] think about who wants to be at the front of the line,” Kellerman said on InsideRingShow.
Kellerman rejected the idea that Canelo was firing any of the fighters.
“He’s not saying he’s ignoring Sheeraz and Iglesias. In fact, he just gave them a path. He said, ‘I’m fighting Mbilli.’ You are fighting each other. This is not a duck. This is about business,” Kellerman said.
Sheeraz has already made it clear that he has no interest in following the route proposed by Canelo. Responding to a suggestion from an earlier interview, the British fighter said he respected Alvarez but would not allow another boxer to dictate his career decisions.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could answer many of the remaining questions about both men.
Canelo is preparing to fight Mbilli, a fighter widely viewed as one of the most threatening fighters in the division due to his constant pressure and furious attacks. Meanwhile, Sheeraz has had two fights since moving up to 168 pounds, a fight against Edgar Berlanga, who he stopped in July 2025 after Canelo had already beaten him a year earlier, and 39-year-old Al Begic for the vacant WBO title.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could eliminate many of the questions that still haunt both men. Sheeraz would have the opportunity to silence critics who believe his super middleweight resume is slim, while Iglesias could reaffirm a growing reputation that has led some fans to consider him the division’s boogeyman.
The winner would pose a bigger and more marketable challenge. Instead of facing Sheeraz immediately after his victory over Begic, Alvarez could face an opponent who had a decisive victory over another world champion, adding more significance to what could be one of the final marquee fights of his career.
Max Kellerman reacts to Canelo Álvarez’s comments about Hamzah Sheeraz and Osleys Iglesias 👀#InsideTheRing | The latest episode LIVE NOW on YouTube The Ring 📺 pic.twitter.com/tfOhDtjgit
— InsideRingShow (@InsideRingShow) June 12, 2026
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Boxing
Errol Spence Jr puts himself in line for an All-American main event if he wins his comeback against Tszyu
Published
5 hours agoon
June 13, 2026
Errol Spence Jr gained additional motivation to defeat Tim Tszyu, knowing that the winner of the upcoming fight could face a potentially more lucrative opportunity.
The two former world champions will face each other on July 25 in Australia, with Tszyu having the home advantage and looking to rejoin the world stage.
To do this, the 31-year-old must defeat a credible opponent and prove that despite losing three of his last six fights, he remains one of the top super welterweight fighters in the world.
Ideally, he would have fought Spence at 154 pounds, but given his opponent’s three-year layoff, Tszyu ultimately agreed to fight at the catchweight of 158 pounds.
Before the long break, Spence lost the WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight titles to Terence Crawford, who defeated his rival with a surprisingly one-sided ninth-round stoppage.
However, even before his loss to “Bud,” many believed that “The Truth” would be better suited to the 154-pound division, where he plans to make his mark after his triumph over Tszyu.
If such a plan comes to fruition, Spence could enter into a national feud with Jermell Charlo, who has not fought since unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez in September 2023
According to Mike Coppinger of Ring MagazineCharlo could very well face Tszyu if the Australian wins the fight against Spence.
“I was told he would be lined up to win [Spence-Tszyu]. Of course, nothing has been done yet. I’m told that behind the scenes, Charlo is being lined up for this fight, which will take place at 154 pounds.[lbs]”
Before the 168-pound fight with Canelo, Charlo became the undisputed super welterweight champion by dethroning Brian Castano by a 10th-round stoppage in 2022, less than a year after his controversial boxing draw.
The 36-year-old achieved this ambition by training under Derrick James, who is also Spence’s former head coach.
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Hamzah Sheeraz should fight Osleys Iglesias first
Errol Spence Jr puts himself in line for an All-American main event if he wins his comeback against Tszyu
Trending
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card



