Joseph Parker Against Fabio Wardley Becomes A Potential Option

Joseph Parker is negotiating against Fabio Wardley (Instagram/@joeboxerparker).

JAKARTA Joseph Parker is very likely to get into the ring against Fabio Wardley after Oleksandr Usyk has yet to provide certainty for WBO's mandatory heavyweight fight.

British well-known boxing promoter Frank Warren said that Usyk's chances of a ring this year are so small that Parker's duel against Wardley is very open to realization.

"(Usyk) asked for a break from WBO due to injury and he has provided evidence. Will he be fighting before the end of the year? I have very doubts," Warren was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

The plan, Parker against Wardley will take place at the O2 Arena, London, England, on October 25, 2025. Both names are currently still negotiating for their clashes.

Warren said the negotiations were close to reaching an agreement so it could be announced in the near future.

"Hopefully we can make an agreement soon and it must be because we are looking for one of them which will take place in October," he said.

Usyk is the undisputed world heavyweight champion twice. He won that status for the second time after winning against Daniel Dubois in July 2025 at Wembley, London.

The Ukrainian fighter previously assumed his first undisputed world heavyweight title in May 2024 after winning against Tyson Fury.

Usyk could have the option to empty the WBO belt and let Parker become world champion. However, Parker has a strong desire to fight him.

After defeating Dubois, the 38-year-old fighter gave a signal for a trology against Fury, who had actually decided to retire. So, maybe he prefers to vacate the WBO belt and vote for Fury.