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Parker vs Wardley - David Haye makes prediction for heavyweight battle that will surely lead to Oleksandr Usyk clash
David Haye has been where both Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley current find themselves heading into their showdown on Saturday night.
Once a hungry contender before becoming a two-weight world champion, Haye has featured in several high-profile fights, and he is well qualified to discuss this weekend’s fascinating heavyweight encounter.
Parker, a former world champion, is eager to rule the heavyweight division again and victory over Wardley is almost certain to land him a showdown with undisputed boss, Oleksandr Usyk.
The popular New Zealander is enjoying an impressive run of form since losing to Joe Joyce and one more victory over Wardley will open the door for the biggest fight of his life next year.
Wardley also enters the contest on the back of some standout wins and in his last bouts he has scored two big knockouts against Frazer Clarke and Justis Huni.
The unbeaten Ipswich man’s rise to this level from white collar beginnings is currently one of the best stories in boxing and a win against Parker would be his biggest success to date.
Haye, who walked away from boxing in 2018 after a second loss to Tony Bellew, is the latest high-profile figure to deliver his verdict on the fight.
“Parker has experience. A former world champion who beat Ruiz and has had some really great fights over the years, and proven time and time again that he’s genuinely world-level,” said Haye when speaking to IFLTV .
“Wardley, I think it’s a little early for him. Off the strength of his last fight, obviously, he won a spectacular knockout victory, but up until that knockout victory, he didn’t look comfortable.
"I’m not sure if the training camp was bad or whatever, but if I were a betting man, I’d go with Parker. Possibly on points.
“Wardley has shown massive heart and grit, durability, toughness, so it’s not to say that Parker will stop him, but I’d say Parker on points.”
Watch Parker vs. Wardley live only on DAZN
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight this Saturday, October 25, to become the WBO mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk. Watch the fight and undercard live and exclusive on DAZN PPV.
