From Pub Fan to Ring Rival: Fabio Wardley's Remarkable Journey to Battling Ex-Champ Joseph Parker in Just Seven Years!

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Fight Introduction
• Wardley's Reflection
• Wardley's Career
• Future Prospects

Just seven years ago, Joseph Parker was a heavyweight world champion, and Fabio Wardley was watching him at the pub over a couple of pints.

Now, they are set to face each other in the ring.

Fabio Wardley recalls watching Joseph Parker fight Anthony Joshua while at the pubCredit: @fabiowardley Joshua defeated Parker in their 2018 title fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Wardley watched the match from a local pub in Ipswich.

Reflecting on those days, Wardley, now 30, shared: “Boxing wasn’t something I followed closely back then.

“The first time I really paid attention to Joseph Parker was during his fight with Anthony Joshua.

“I remember sitting in The Plough in Ipswich with my friends, enjoying a few beers while watching the fight.

“At that moment, I had no real thoughts or plans about facing Parker in the future; I was just watching as a casual fan.

“But now, ten years later, look where we are. It’s me and him.”

Wardley began boxing at the age of 20 in the unlicensed white-collar scene in 2016.

That same year, Parker claimed the world title against Andy Ruiz Jr.

Wardley noted: “At that time, I was still a white-collar fighter, which makes this quite amusing.

“I wasn’t watching him against Joshua thinking, ‘I could beat him’ because up until then, I had only been fighting other guys from the pub.

“I was simply a boxing fan, intrigued by the fight.

“I wasn’t analyzing his game or thinking about how I could exploit his weaknesses.

“At that point, I couldn’t do any of that. Even if I tried to analyze, I wouldn’t have been able to execute any of it.

“It has taken me ten years of hard work and learning to reach a point where I can look at him and recognize the gaps in his game.”

Wardley was just 23 and had only three professional fights under his belt when AJ defeated Parker over 12 rounds.

This upcoming match against the 33-year-old New Zealander is a remarkable milestone for him, set to be broadcast live on DAZN PPV .

Wardley has achieved 18 knockouts in his 19 victories, including avenging his only draw against Frazer Clarke in March 2024.

He made a comeback in his homecoming fight at Portman Road in June.

With the heavyweight division's big three—Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Oleksandr Usyk—considering retirement, Wardley believes he is the new contender in the spotlight.

He stated: “For many consecutive fights, people have been saying, ‘This is too much for you, this opponent is too skilled to beat you.’

“I think the way I’ve navigated through the division has been quite unexpected.

“It’s an opportune moment with AJ, Fury, and even Usyk nearing their late 30s.

“Those fighters are, not necessarily in terms of skill, but age-wise, coming to the end of their careers.

“This creates an opening, particularly in British heavyweight boxing, for someone to step up and declare, ‘I’m the one.’ Now, I’m ready to throw my hat in the ring.”

Parker and Wardley facing offCredit: Getty