Tony Bellew has weighed in with his prediction for Saturday’s explosive heavyweight bout between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley.
Parker defends his WBO interim title against Wardley at the O2 Arena, live on DAZN pay-per-view.
Wardley secured the WBA interim crown with a dramatic 10th round knockout of Justis Huni in June, his 18th victory inside the distance.
Parker, who will fight for the first time since a second round win over Martin Bakole in February, is the bookies favourite heading into Saturday’s bout and Bellew has backed the New Zealander to stop the unbeaten Ipswich man, who has only been the distance once in his professional career.
“This is a proper fight with two proper fighters who both have a lot of quality,” the 42-year-old told DAZN News.
“It’s hard making a prediction because of how good the fight is, but when I proper look at both men and what they’ve done and who they’ve been in with, you have to say Parker is the man to back.
“It’s absolutely incredible what Wardley has achieved considering his background.
“No amateur titles or Olympic medals.
“He’s just a kid who loves to fight, and with all that desire, determination, and most importantly, power, he’s got himself into a really good position.
“Look, one shot from Wardley can end this fight immediately, but Parker knows that, and I think he’ll give Wardley the respect he deserves.
“I’m saying Parker takes the sting out of Wardley before slowing him down for a late stoppage.”
The winner is in line for a shot at undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, who revealed last week his intentions to continue fighting.
The 38-year-old halted Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their rematch in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion and was ordered to defend his WBO belt against Parker.
However, the WBO granted the Ukrainian a 90-day extension on negotiations after he picked up an injury, although the governing body says he must face the victor of Saturday’s showdown.
“I’ll fight until I’m 41,” Usyk told rtfight.com.
“Then I’ll build a sports academy.
“I’ll train there and train others.”
