Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley are poised to meet in a 12-round heavyweight contest this Saturday night, October 25, at the O2 Arena in London. The main event pits the veteran, interim WBO heavyweight champ Parker against the rising, unbeaten Wardley. The bout is promoted by Queensberry Promotions and will be available to watch live on DAZN pay-per-view for fans around the world.

The matchup pits experience against momentum.

Parker (36-3, 24 KOs), as the WBO interim heavyweight crown continues his quest to get a shot at undisputed champ Oleksandr Usyk. Meanwhile, Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs), the undefeated British contender, faces the most significant test of his career in front of what should be a roaring home crowd.

At the final pre-fight press conference Thursday afternoon, Parker made it clear that he views the bout as a make-or-break opportunity. “For me, this is all or nothing,” he said. “I’m not really thinking about losing this fight. I’m going into this fight to win. I respect my opponent and what he’s achieved, but I’m on a different level, and I’m going to show it on Saturday night.”

The 32-year-old New Zealander, who has faced some of the division’s biggest names—including Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, and Joe Joyce—believes he is entering his prime. “I’ve got many miles on the clock and many more to bring,” Parker added. “I’m only getting into my prime now.”

That's backed up by him winning six fights in a row, including dominating former WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder over 12 rounds in December 2023.

As for Wardley, 29, he has rapidly risen through the British heavyweight ranks with a series of emphatic victories. Known for his aggressive style and high knockout ratio, he now seeks to prove that he belongs among the sport’s top-tier fighters.

“It’s a massive night coming up,” Wardley said. “This is the biggest fight of my career and the biggest fight of my life. Every time I step up, I rise to the occasion—and Saturday will be no different.”

Wardley, who rallied while trailing on the cards to knockout Australian Justis Huni with a single shot in the 10th round back in June, acknowledged that some observers consider this matchup a step too far, but he dismissed the notion. “The separation between where Joe is and where people think I am has been a common theme throughout my career. Every time I move up a level, it’s always said to be too far—until I come through and win.”

The bout promises to answer key questions about both fighters’ trajectories. For Parker, it’s a chance to, once again, reaffirm his place among the top heavyweight contenders. For Wardley, it’s an opportunity to prove he belongs there and take a massive step towards a possible shot for all the belts against Usyk.