Joseph Parker is keeping his options open as he looks to secure his next bout “very soon.”
The 33-year-old New Zealander is the WBO’s mandatory challenger for undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, but with Usyk sidelined by reported back issues – and controversy over a recent video showing him dancing – Parker may have to wait longer for his dream shot.
In the meantime, Parker is considering a showdown with Fabio Wardley, who holds the WBA interim belt. Wardley is riding high after dramatic knockout wins over Frazer Clarke and Justis Huni, and a Parker-Wardley clash has been linked to October 25 at London’s O2 Arena.
“I’m keen to fight Usyk, but if I can’t get him, anyone in the top five or ten in the world,” Parker told Boxing Scene. “I’m hoping to lock in a fight very soon.”
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Parker has stayed active despite setbacks. Earlier this year, when Daniel Dubois withdrew from their IBF title fight, Parker accepted a dangerous short-notice fight with Martin Bakole instead. He dispatched Bakole in two rounds, keeping himself firmly in the heavyweight mix.
Wardley, meanwhile, represents both risk and reward – a dangerous puncher but not yet as proven at world level. A win for Parker would bolster his case for a Usyk clash, but defeat could derail his title ambitions.
Complicating matters further, heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma has been elevated to No. 1 by both the WBA and WBO, with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh hinting at a possible Usyk-Itauma showdown. Still, Parker remains focused: “Itauma is very talented. If Usyk continues to keep fighting, it could be a fight down the line. But I would love to test myself against Usyk first.”
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