Parker’s fake smile fades as Wardley stole pressing in

Fabio Wardley and Joseph Parker were both leaning in today for their heavyweight game for battle on Saturday on Dazn PPV at the O2 Arena in London, England. Interim Parker’s interim champion (36-3, 24 kos), came looking softly around the middle with a father’s body, a little lighter than he did in his previous fight against Martin Bakole.

(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

False confidence exposed

What was interesting was how Parker smiled and clowned around before going up to the scales. He looked 100% fake, so that he sets a fake front of confidence to hide the fear. You could easily see it fake.

The moment Wardley (19-0-1, 18 ko) walked on stage, you could see Parker’s brave mask disappear from his face. He was replaced by anxiety. He could not remain a character with his theatrical attempt to show a false look of self -confidence. Parker is not as good as an actor. It does not have the brando-esque capacity to slip into a character.

The numbers on the scale

• Joseph Parker – 262.4
• Fabio Wardley – 242.7

“This means everything. This is the one before the one. A big night to come tomorrow,” said Fabio Wardley after lean in today. “It’s nothing new to me. I haven’t been beaten yet, and nothing is going to change tomorrow night. It’s not about me teaching anything. It’s about them learning that I belong at the top of the department.”

Winner get usyk – and millions

There is a lot on tomorrow night’s line for this battle between these two heavy weights. Whoever is victorious will be next to the undoubted Oleksandr Usyk champion in early 2026. That means a payday of $ 30- $ 60 million to the WBA Wardley or Parker Interim Champion. The lucky one will be a rich man next year.

“I’m heavy, I’m strong, and I’m ready to go. I’m serious about my work. I’m going to punch holes in it tomorrow and teach him a lesson. I’m going to fight fire with fire and get to it,” said Parker.

Joseph knows he has only one choice but go to war with Wardley tomorrow night. If he tries to box, as he did against the aging fighters, Dontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, he’s going to be hunted by the younger fighter Wardley and pulled out. That’s not the way Parker wants to win by running for 12 rounds. It’s a bad look that makes him appear cowardly.