Parker vs Wardley: From watching Parker in the pub to facing him at the O2

New Zealand's Joseph Parker was across the world in Cardiff, locked in a unified heavyweight title battle with British boxing's golden boy Anthony Joshua.

Meanwhile, in an Ipswich boozer, a whiff of lager and crackle of anticipation filled The Plough as fight fans gathered around shimmering television screens.

Among those watching in March 2018 was Fabio Wardley, a novice pro with a handful of fights but, on this night, just another lad cheering with his pals as pints went down and punches flew.

"I was sat in the pub, watching Joseph Parker face Anthony Joshua when [Parker] obviously lost that night and lost his world title," Wardley, 30, recalls. "We were in very different positions."

Two years earlier, when Parker won the WBO title against Andy Ruiz, Wardley was still dabbling in the unlicensed white-collar scene, having only laced up gloves at 20 while working in recruitment.

Back then the idea of sharing a ring, let alone a billing, with Parker sounded like something dreamed up after one too many rounds.

"I didn't have deep professional ambitions," Wardley says. "I just got into it because I liked the kind of one-on-one competitive side to it."

But boxing can change a life quicker than a good night out. On Saturday, the man who once watched Parker with a pint in hand will stand opposite him at London's O2 Arena.

The winner is expected to land a shot at Oleksandr Usyk and all four world heavyweight belts.

From The Plough to the pay-per-view stage, Wardley's improbable journey has been rather intoxicating.

Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) is an underdog against the vastly experienced Parker, but his sensational knockout ratio means the threat of a single, fight-ending punch is always present.

He has proven he can deliver that devastating power against top domestic rivals, including a brutal first-round knockout in the rematch against Olympic medallist Frazer Clarke.

Against Australian Justis Huni in June, the Englishman further cemented his reputation as a genuine threat.

At the home of Ipswich Town - Wardley's beloved football club who he represented at academy level - he was behind on the scorecards but rallied with a colossal right hand in the 10th round to secure the win.

Wardley feels his reputation as a knockout artist can lead to opponents underestimating his boxing skills, yet he remains convinced he will stop Parker before the final bell.

"My track record of knocking out fighters is there to be seen," Wardley says. "I don't think I have to [knock Parker out], but I have no doubt that I will."

Parker is no stranger to hitting the canvas. He has been dropped by Zhilei Zhang, Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora, and was knocked out by Joe Joyce.

But he remains a proven world-level contender - a top-three or top-four heavyweight - who has rebuilt his career impressively under coach Andy Lee.

"I've been operating at a higher level for a long time, and I feel like I'm only getting better," 33-year-old Parker says.

"If you look at the ratings, [Wardley's] power is right up there. But then if you look at the people he's fought, there's not a lot of top-10 fighters in his list."

Parker, the WBO 'interim' champion and Usyk's mandatory challenger, could have waited for the undisputed king's recovery and an inevitable payday - but that is not his style.

"There's no point relaxing and waiting for a fight with Usyk," he says.

"Imagine waiting all that time and you still didn't get it. What was the point? For us as a team, we just want to fight the best fighters who are available."

Parker is confident his risk will be rewarded, while Wardley has a chance to show just how far raw ambition - and heavy hands - can take him.

Whatever happens at the O2 on Saturday, patrons of The Plough in Ipswich will be watching again - only this time, they'll be raising their glasses to one of their own.

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