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A date with Usyk, knockouts galore and a fairy tale story: Five reasons to watch Parker vs. Wardley tonight on DAZN
The heavyweight division is an exciting place to be right now with a number of contenders battling it out to earn their shot at undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk .
With uncertainty surrounding the Ukrainian's next move, it would be easy for interim champions such as Joseph Parker of the WBO and Fabio Wardley of the WBA to sit and wait for their shot at glory.
Instead, activity is key if they are to be at their best if a fight against Usyk presents itself hence why Parker and Wardley will meet in a heavyweight clash tonight , exclusively live on DAZN PPV .
Ahead of the opening bell, here are five reasons why fight fans cannot miss this heavyweight showdown.
Usyk surely awaits for the winner
Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Both Parker and Wardley hold interim titles with the WBO and WBA respectively, meaning they are mandatory challengers for Usyk's undisputed title.
Despite calls from the WBO for Usyk to make a mandatory defence against Parker, negotiations have failed to materialise leaving the New Zealander in a state of uncertainty.
Instead, Parker is looking to keep busy against Wardley who is also in the running to face Usyk as the WBA's number one contender.
There may be no world titles on the line, but this heavyweight contest has plenty at stake with the winner getting a much deserved date with arguably boxing's number one pound-for-pound fighter.
Parker's quest to become a two-time world champion
Parker is enjoying a career resurgence which has seen him become a serious contender at heavyweight.
After being knocked out by Joe Joyce three years ago, Parker has undergone a rebuild with coach Andy Lee and it has been one which has gone from strength to strength.
Parker's last three wins have come against Deontay Wilder , Zhileli Zhang and Martin Bakole , and he has showcased the attributes needed to become a world champion once more.
Now he has one final step to make if he is to put himself in the best position to capture boxing's biggest prize, and that is to beat Wardley.
Wardley's knockout threat
If there is one thing that is guaranteed when Wardley fights, it's knockouts.
Three of his last four wins have all come by way of knockout, with his most recent being his best yet.
Facing Justis Huni at Portman Road in June, Wardley was being given a boxing lesson, but out of nowhere in round 10, Wardley detonated a right hand on the Australian who was deemed unable to continue .
Parker will be the favourite, however, Wardley is a serious threat who has the ultimate equaliser in his knockout power.
From White Collar to world title quest
Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Wardley's start in White Collar is something which is mentioned at length whenever he fights.
It may be getting tiresome for some, but his journey to this fight with Parker has been a whirlwind.
Someone with no amateur experience should not be on the brink of a world title shot. Instead, Wardley has defied conventions and shown that anything is possible if you are able to get past the challenges put in front of you.
One of British boxing's most fascinating stories continues tonight and Wardley will look to keep it going with a win over the former WBO heavyweight champion.
An exciting domestic matchup on the undercard
Before Parker and Wardley trade leather at the O2 Arena, there is an exciting all-British matchup on the undercard.
The contest takes place at super featherweight where Danny Quartermine and Royston Barney-Smith put their undefeated records on a line as they look to continue their ascent through the rankings.
Watch Parker vs. Wardley live on DAZN
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight on Saturday, October 25, to become the WBO mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk. Watch the fight and undercard live and exclusive on DAZN PPV.
