The Ring yesterday reported Queensberry Promotions were on the verge of finalising a heavyweight showdown between Parker and Briton Fabio Wardley.
The showdown between the WBO and WBA interim titleholders would be held at London’s O2 Arena on October 25, the boxing magazine reported.
In July, the WBO ordered negotiations for a bout between Parker and the unified heavyweight champion Usyk.
That followed the July fight between Usyk and Daniel Dubois when the Ukrainian destroyed the Englishman.
Immediately afterwards, promoter Frank Warren said Parker would be Usyk’s next opponent.
It appears that will not be the case as Usyk is reported to be carrying an injury.
Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) has had just limited action over recent months.
He scored a TKO over Martin Bakole in February.
Before that he registered a majority decision win over Zhilei Zhang in March 2024.
But 2023 was productive. He notched four wins, including a convincing victory against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia.
Parker, 33, is back in Europe training with his coach Andy Lee.
His last loss was to Joe Joyce in September, 2022. He was floored by a left hook in the 11th round of their bout in Manchester.
It was the first time he had been knocked out in his professional career. He ran out of gas in the later rounds and walked into the punch.
Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) last fought in June, beating Australian Justis Huni with a knockout.
The winner of the Parker-Wardley bout should then be the leading contender to take on Usyk. — Allied Media
