Joseph Parker has declared that he is coming for Oleksandr Usyk, as he prepares to face Fabio Wardley this weekend. Parker, a former WBO heavyweight champion, is hoping to become the mandatory challenger if he defeats Wardley this weekend in his second fight of the year.
Both fighters are current interim champions, with Parker holding the WBO interim title, while the undefeated Wardley has the WBA interim title.
The fight with Wardley is a stepping stone back to becoming a heavyweight champion for Parker. His reign as champion lasted for almost two years before suffering his first professional loss at the hands of Anthony Joshua. Now, he is ready to climb back to the top and only sees men like Wardley as obstacles he can beat.
Speaking with Sky Sports on Tuesday, the 33-year-old did not mince words in stating that he believes himself to be a better boxer than his opponent.
He said, “I do feel that I’m levels above Fabio and that’s what I want to show on Saturday night. I’ve fought everyone there is, and I want to go out there and show the level that I’m at compared to where he’s at.”
For Parker, he’s proven himself many times in the past, but is still getting started: “I’ve achieved a lot in the world of boxing, being world champion and fought all the big names, but I feel like I’m only coming into my prime now and I feel like this is my time now to take over.”
On Usyk, Parker described him as a target whom he was coming for: “Usyk is a target for every heavyweight; he’s got all the belts, so I need to get this fight right. I know what I can do in the ring, and if I do it well, I’ll get the win, and I can beat every heavyweight out there, but it all starts this weekend, and Usyk is the target after that.”
This weekend’s fight is as high-stakes as it gets, even with no title on the line. The winner gets a chance at facing Usyk for all the belts in his custody.
If Parker wins, he earns another title shot and also hands Wardley his first professional defeat. A win for Wardley means he gets to extend his undefeated record, with a man like Parker added to the list of people he’s defeated.
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