Joseph Parker (pictured) and Fabio Wardley square off in just a matter of days in a career-defining fight for both heavyweights this Saturday night, October 25th at London's The O2 Arena. The New Zealander and the Briton are the WBO and WBA interim heavyweight champions respectively, meaning this bout is an elimination battle for a world title shot and it is live and exclusive on DAZN pay-per-view. The victor will either fight the great Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed world championship or the Ukrainian will give up his WBO crown, meaning Parker or Wardley would be upgraded to be named the new WBO champion in the near future. As a former WBO champion himself, the more experienced Parker will enter as the narrow favorite.

Parker will hope to make better memories at The O2 this time around, after losing to another Brit in Dillian Whyte by unanimous decision at the venue back in 2018.

A particularly cordial relationship has bloomed across the past few months between the two fighters, built on a respect and appreciation for their craft in the ring. Parker paid tribute to Wardley's decision to take a bout that marks a gamble for both men, speaking to him as part of DAZN's Face-Off ahead of their incoming fight. "There's a lot of fighters who say that they'll want to fight anyone," he stated. "But they just say it. He's shown in his career that he steps up, and he finds a way to win."

Wardley repaid the compliments, suggesting that the Kiwi is operating at the top of his game, and reflecting on his ability to improve the more he takes out his foes. I think he's in his prime. Early on in his career, he was a great fighter, but he was still finding his feet. Now, his ambition shows he must love the sport again."

UNDERCARD BOUTS

Lewis Edmonson vs. Ezra Taylor (light heavyweights);

Juergen Uldedaj vs. Rolly Lambert Fogoum (cruiserweights);

Danny Quartermaine vs. Royston Barney-Smith (junior lightweights); and

Mitchell Smith vs. Arnie Dawson (junior lightweights).