Assured Wardley Weighs Twenty Pounds Less Below Than Substantial Joseph Parker
Winning-streak Joseph Parker (on the left) is on a six-match victory run, whereas KO expert Fabio Wardley has a perfect record in twenty professional fights.
Joseph Parker v Fabio Wardley
Location: London's O2 Arena, the capital Fight Night: This Saturday, the 25th of October
Coverage: Catch round-by-round coverage and audio coverage on the BBC Sport website plus digital platforms from 8:30 PM BST prior to moving to national radio from 10:00 PM.
Joseph Parker stepped onto the scales nearly twenty pounds heavier against the British boxer as the two big men displayed confident poses - albeit in different ways - for this weekend's main event in the capital.
New Zealand's Parker will put his WBO interim championship and shot to compete for the global championship at stake against the undefeated Fabio Wardley at the premier boxing arena.
Undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk has made clear his intention to retain his world titles against the successful fighter.
"This is the moment. It represents the ultimate," stated a determined but focused Wardley, aged 30, at Friday's weigh-in.
The Ipswich fighter - possessing the WBA interim strap - registered at seventeen stone five pounds, matching his latest fights.
"This fight before the ultimate challenge. Every effort is completed. Training is completed. The grueling sessions is accomplished. Time for some relaxation now. Big night ahead," he added.
Spitalfields Market in London's east end witnessed beyond fresh produce on the weighing platform as the pair of boxers faced off for the ultimate face-off ahead of the bout.
Joseph Parker gave a wink at the photographers and swayed along to the music.
Showing off his physique, he seemed imposing and strong as he registered at 18st 10lb, only five pounds less than his heaviest ever.
This marks a significant difference from the 107 kg version who surrendered his championship to AJ in the year 2018.
"We are alert, we are careful, but I'm going to fight fire with fire and I intend to connect with him," Joseph Parker declared.
I operate on a different level and will dominate him - Parker
Fabio Wardley, wearing an Ipswich Town jersey, maintained a focused look, greeted the audience, but looked zoned in.
Despite being the lighter guy, Fabio Wardley has superb knockout power. He delivered a dramatic turnaround facing his opponent in last June, trailing on the scorecards prior to stopping his foe in the tenth round although being outboxed for the majority of the bout.
"Joseph Parker, his corner and boxing fans will find out I belong to be at the summit of this division," Wardley said.
"All challengers has been the boxer experts claim will beat me. Here we are again. He is too quick, too fast, highly seasoned. But I remain unbeaten to date, and no challenge will change tomorrow night."
