Confident Wardley Weighs Twenty Pounds Below Compared to Heavier Parker
Winning-streak Parker (on the left) boasts a six-bout unbeaten stretch, whereas knockout expert Fabio Wardley is undefeated in 20 career contests.
Joseph Parker v Fabio Wardley
Fight Location: London's O2 Arena, the capital Date: Weekend, 25 October
Live Updates: Follow round-by-round coverage and audio coverage through the BBC Sport website plus digital platforms from 20:30 BST then transitioning to BBC Radio 5 Live from 10:00 PM.
Joseph Parker stepped onto the scales nearly twenty pounds more than the British boxer as both top fighters presented confident figures - albeit in opposing manners - leading up to this weekend's headliner in London.
New Zealand's Joseph Parker places his WBO interim championship and shot to fight for the global championship up for grabs against the unbeaten Wardley at the O2 Arena.
Reigning division king the champion has signalled his plan to retain his four belts against the winner.
"This is it. It represents everything," stated a focused but zoned-in Fabio Wardley, thirty, at yesterday's scale ceremony.
Wardley - who holds the WBA interim strap - came in at seventeen stone five pounds, matching his recent bouts.
"This contest before the big one. All preparation is done. Preparation is completed. All the hard work is done. Time for some downtime now. Big night tomorrow," he stated further.
The East London market in east London hosted more than fresh produce on the measure as the two heavyweights confronted each other for the last occasion prior to the main event.
Parker gave a wink at the photographers and moved along to the tunes.
As he flexed his muscles, he seemed imposing and powerful as he tipped the scales at eighteen stone ten pounds, merely 5lb less than his heaviest ever.
This represents a significant difference from the sixteen stone twelve pound iteration who surrendered his belt to AJ in 2018.
"We are alert, we're cautious, but I'm going to fight fire with fire and I will reach him," Joseph Parker said.
I operate on a superior tier and will dominate him - Parker
Fabio Wardley, wearing an Ipswich top, kept a serious expression, nodded to the audience, but looked zoned in.
Although he is the less heavy fighter, Wardley has superb knockout power. He produced a remarkable recovery facing Justis Huni in last June, down on the judges' cards prior to stopping his opponent in the final round despite being outmaneuvered for most of the contest.
"His opponent, his team and supporters will learn I am destined to be at the peak of this weight class," Wardley affirmed.
"Every opponent has been the one experts predict will beat me. Here we are again. His attributes include exceptional pace, rapid, vastly experienced. However My record is perfect so far, and no challenge will alter in the ring."
