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Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley: Will winner face Oleksandr Usyk for certain?
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley step into the ring tonight for a heavyweight blockbuster with serious ramifications on the rest of the division.
The pair, WBO and WBA interim champions respectively, are pursuing a shot at Oleksandr Usyk and the undisputed crown he currently holds.
Parker, an ex-WBO title holder in his own right, was previously given mandatory status to face the Ukrainian after the latter beat Daniel Dubois.
But citing an injury, Usyk was granted an extension, with his challenger instead opting to take a bout with Wardley in order to ensure a match.
As the pair prepare to make their way inside the squared circle tonight, the question remains though on just what the future holds for all three.
Here, DAZN News breaks down whether the winner of Parker and Wardley's encounter will get their shot at Usyk - or if they will miss out again.
Will the winner of Joseph Parker-Fabio Wardley face Oleksandr Usyk?
In theory, yes. Usyk's extension from the WBO in regards to his mandatory defence means he is still obliged to face their contender next up.
Whether it is Parker or Wardley who emerges successful from London's The O2 Arena, they will be designated as a mandatory challenger.
Usyk, of course, is under no obligation to take the fight, and could well surrender his belt in order to pursue other avenues for his next dance.
Long-gestating rumours over a trilogy bout with Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua have lingered over the past year and would be highly lucrative.
But in the past few weeks, Usyk appears to have also made a volte-face on plans to retire after one more bout, now suggesting he will fight on.
Furthermore, suggestions by the star's manager Serhii Lapin indicate that the Ukrainian is unlikely to pursue a third encounter with Fury too.
The evidence combined - backed up by comments from Parker's manager David Higgins - indicates Usyk will take on the Parker-Wardley victor.
Who else could face Parker or Wardley if Usyk does pass?
If Usyk ultimately finds his head turned elsewhere for another opponent, then the picture grows more clouded for both Parker and Wardley.
While the loser will immediately bid to begin a rebuild in pursuit of another shot near the summit of the division, the winner will have limited options.
Fury is unlikely to face anyone but Usyk or Joshua, while the latter will reportedly take a tune-up fight early next year against a lower-ranked foe.
An obvious contender, especially for Parker, would be Dubois. The pair were originally due to meet in February for the latter's then-held IBF title.
A five-round loss to Usyk hurt the Briton's reputation, and he will be keen to secure an immediate path back to another world title shot of his own.
Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Victory over a two-belt interim champion would effectively rush him back to the front of the queue, and put him squarely in contention for a strap.
Rising star Moses Itauma meanwhile remains a champion-in-waiting for many, but his sheer velocity and knockout strength has few queueing up.
Then there are the European duo of Agit Kabayel and Kubrat Pulev, both of whom currently have bouts scheduled but remain contenders too.
The end result is that without Usyk, either Parker or Wardley are likely to find themselves treading water, unless the WBO strip the star's belt.
That in turn would see the winner likely elevated to full champion - and suddenly makes the matter of their first defence a more fascinating prospect.
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.
