LONDON, England -
Fabio Wardley’s Portman Road dream was on the verge of turning into a nightmare when a memorable Suffolk punch
knocked Justis Huni out midway through the 10th round of their rain-soaked clash in June.
But, exactly 140 days later, Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) is well aware that he cannot rely on finding another eraser in that fashion against the experienced former world heavyweight champion
Joseph Parker at the o2 Arena.
Wardley’s 94.74 per cent KO ratio is not matched by any undefeated male fighter in any other division and there is an argument that he is currently the most-dangerous one-punch fighter at heavyweight right now.
The Huni fight, which looked to be heading towards a reasonably lopsided points defeat, was evidence of that but Wardley insists he has no intention of relying on a one-punch turnaround
against Parker on Oct. 25, live on
DAZN PPV. “It’s probably a more difficult question with someone like Joseph Parker,” said Wardley. “He has proven he can get in with the biggest punchers, take a shot and get back up.
“So I’ll know in my head that, look, if I hit him, there’s a strong likelihood that he might make it to his feet again. But I'm also renowned for being a great finisher as well when I have my opponents hurt or rocked so I'm not going to let off the gas.”
On his one-punch power, he added: “That little kind of trick is good to have in the back pocket and it’s good to have it there but there are other aspects of my game and other facets I would like to show off in this fight. So hopefully I get the opportunity to do that.
"But if there’s a moment where I do land that big shot and I do become that one-punch KO artist, I’m not going to say ‘no’. A win is a win at the end of the day.”
Parker has won six in a row since his September 2022 defeat to Joe Joyce, thanks to
victories over noted punchers like Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.
The former WBC champion from Tuscaloosa, Alabama was once considered one of the biggest punchers in history but he was unable to make a dent in Parker throughout their 12 rounds in Riyadh on December 23, 2023.
Wardley added: “There are question marks around the kind of Wilder that he beat, but you can't take that away because the last thing a fighter loses is their power, so he could have turned that on at any moment. But Parker was able to neutralise him in that fight and not let him get that right hand off.
“This fight is a big step up for me but I’ve never taken a step back in my career really. I’ve always kept moving forward, picking up titles and things. Every opponent has been better than the last one for one reason or another.
“They’ve always offered something different so it has always been about moving forward. Maybe this one's a slightly bigger jump compared to the rest, but all in all, full faith in myself and full belief that I'll come through and get the win.
“I'm truly very ready. Me and the team are putting together a fantastic game plan. I have all faith in them, all faith in myself in terms of being fit, ready and healthy to go. So I’m just looking for an entertaining night back at the o2.”