Scuppered bouts, musical throwdowns and the waiting game - how did Joseph Parker come to Fabio Wardley fight?

In February, Joseph Parker looked set to finally get his shot at becoming a two-time heavyweight champion once again, preparing to face Daniel Dubois in Saudi Arabia.

The New Zealander had not held a full strap since his 2018 loss to Anthony Joshua ended his reign as WBO champion, a decision defeat in Cardiff for a first career reverse.

Losses to Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce in subsequent years raised questions over his future, but to Parker's immense credit, he rebuilt in style, earning a path back to the top.

Wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang had not only seen him take the WBO interim strap, but moved him into prime position for a shot at the IBF crown held by Dubois.

Matchroom Boxing

Now, the best part of a year later, Parker may finally have his opportunity to write his name into the history books - but it has been a far-from-straightforward path to this point.

As he prepares to face Fabio Wardley at London's The O2 Arena on October 25th, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, DAZN News takes a look at the path that has brought him here.

A scuppered bout and short-notice replacement

Heading to the Middle East, Parker cut a quietly confident figure, a man who believed he could stop Dubois and end his reign as IBF title holder inside less than half a year.

But his plans were derailed just a few days into fight week. Rumours swelled that the Briton had fallen ill following his own arrival into Riyadh - and so it dramatically unfolded.

Dubois pulled out with just over forty-eight hours to go, leaving dealmakers scrambling for a suitable replacement so that Parker's prolonged efforts would not be in vain.

Martin Bakole was jetted in at short notice, with the popular rising star having last fought the prior August and clearly nowhere near the shape he would be expected to keep.

That made it an easy night for Parker in the end, who flattened his new opponent inside two rounds - a result that nevertheless still could not hide the star's frustration.

Musical magic keeps the fire burning

Hopes that Parker could still get his fight with Dubois in the summer were floated in the aftermath of his win over Bakole, but by then, the Briton seemed to have a new target.

Oleksandr Usyk's second win over Tyson Fury in December was in the can by then and with the retirement of 'The Gypsy King', the Ukrainian was out to reunite all four belts.

Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Dubois, himself with a 2023 loss to Usyk, was only too happy to bypass Parker in favour of the bigger fish - but that did not mean that the New Zealander did sit idle in his claim.

Throughout the following months, the star took to social media in a series of video call-outs that went viral, featuring him singing along to a variety of songs calling for a fight.

From Shania Twain's You're Still the One to a-ha's Take on Me, Parker dug deep into wedding-disco favourites - and earned plenty of praise for his tongue-in-cheek approach.

A waiting game gone too long

By July, Usyk and Dubois had their second dance - and even more so in their first, the gulf between the two men proved readily apparent as the former demolished the latter.

Inside five rounds, 'The Cat' stopped 'Dynamite' to become a two-time undisputed champion - and with the result, opened the door for Parker to finally have his crack at a belt.

The offer was more than just the mandatory WBO strap that the rotation ensured he would challenge for too - it would be the whole collection of Usyk's straps up for grabs.

Yet despite namechecking Parker in the aftermath of his Dubois win at Wembley Stadium, Usyk and his team seemed to prove hesitant to commit to a bout with the start.

With the Ukrainian already suggesting his next fight would be his last professional bout, rumours continued to swirl he would prefer a trilogy with Fury or Anthony Joshua.

Parker continued to bang the drum, especially after the two parties were ordered to agree - but Usyk subsequently filed for an extension to negotiations, further frustrating matters.

A new name and bigger stakes

Having not fought since the start of the year, discussions began behind the scenes over Parker facing an opponent in the final quarter of 2025, in order to keep fighting fitness.

That brought him to Wardley - a fellow interim champion, this time with the WBA strap, and looking for his next opponent after coming from behind to stop Justis Huni in June.

The plot is further complicated by Usyk's ongoing matters with the WBO, who could choose to strip or force him to vacate the belt, leading to Parker's potential elevation instead.

If it ultimately happens, then the New Zealander's wish to become a two-time world champion will have been sealed - just not the way he likely would have hoped it would be.

It would add further pressure too for Wardley to deliver in what would be the biggest fight of his carer thus far, aware that a defeat would see him tumble down the pecking order.

Either way, October 25th promises to be a crunch clash for both men and their futures at the summit of the division - and with reprecussions that could live long down the line.

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