Joseph Parker reveals where Fabio Wardley ranks among biggest punchers he’s faced

Parker has faced Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte, so where does Wardley rank?

Joseph Parker believes he is set to take on the hardest puncher he has ever faced when he goes toe-to-toe with Fabio Wardley on October 25, live on DAZN.

Parker will put his WBO interim heavyweight title on the line against Wardley, with both fighters refusing to sit on the sidelines while they wait for undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk to decide his next move.

Parker has shared the ring with some of boxing’s heaviest hitters over the years, including Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Joe Joyce, the only man to stop him.

But he thinks Wardley, who has recorded 18 of his 19 wins inside the distance, may punch harder than all of them.

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“You would have to say he ranks at the top because he’s got the biggest knockout percentage of any fighter – 94%,’ Parker exclusively told DAZN News.

“He’s right up there and you have to respect that.”

Wardley’s knockout power has been on full display in his last two fights. He stopped Frazer Clarke in the first round of their rematch last October and then produced a one-punch knockout to beat Australia’s Justis Huni when he was behind on the scorecards in June.

Parker has been impressed by Wardley’s rise after he first started off in white-collar boxing, but has questioned his level of opposition and claimed he is not planning to take a backwards step when they square off next month.

“He's got good skill and he uses his power, but who has he fought against to show all this? Parker asked.

“Of course, you have to go through your career and build yourself up but there’s not many massive names that he’s had knockouts against, so this is a big step up.

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“But I’m aware that he possesses a lot of power. It’s going to be a good challenge and a good fight.”

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