Joseph Parker is Looking Past Fabio Wardley
By Eddie Sanchez
Joseph Parker is two weeks away from a massive test, but says he’s open to facing rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma in December. Of course, first he’ll need to get past Fabio Wardley.
Parker is set to defend his WBO interim heavyweight title against Wardley on October 25 at London’s O2 Arena. The New Zealander is eager to stay active, especially with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk sidelined by injury.
“Fighting once a year is just not good enough,” Parker told reporters on Wednesday. “I want to fight as often as I can. I’m not in this game to sit back and wait for the perfect fight. When you have momentum and keep fighting, you grow as a fighter. You can spar all you want, but there’s nothing like being under those bright lights.”
If Parker comes through unscathed against Wardley, he’s already eyeing a quick return before the year’s end. One potential opponent could be 20-year-old Itauma, who is scheduled to fight on December 13 in Manchester following his first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in August.
Asked about the matchup, Parker didn’t hesitate: “That would be another fight I’d love to take. I’ll fight anyone. Moses is a great talent—young, powerful, fast. He’s doing exactly what he should be doing at his stage, dominating whoever’s in front of him.”
While Parker acknowledged Itauma’s growing reputation and the financial expectations surrounding a bout, he made it clear he’s not shying away from the challenge. “He’s a big threat and a very talented young fighter. Of course everyone’s going to ask for big money, but if it can happen, it will happen.”
Parker last fought in February, scoring a second-round knockout of Martin Bakole on short notice in Saudi Arabia. That win earned him the WBO interim title, which will be on the line against the unbeaten Wardley later this month.
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