Category News

Fabio Wardley vs. Joseph Parker

O2 Arena, London Date: Saturday, October 25th, 2018

For Saturday’s headliner in London, Joseph Parker cut confident figures almost 20 pounds heavier than Fabio Wardley, though in radically different ways.

At O2 Arena, New Zealand’s Parker will face Wardley, who has already defeated Wardley, who will put his WBO “interim” belt and chance to defend it.

Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion, has declared his desire to fight off the winner.

The Ipswich fighter, who currently holds the WBA “interim” belt, weighed in at 17st 5lb (110 kg), which is in line with his most recent fights.

The one preceding the one is “This.” The work is completed in its entirety. Training has been stopped. The work is done entirely. Now let’s get some rest. Tomorrow will be a big night,” he continued.

The two heavyweights squared off for the final time before fight night at Spitalfields Market in east London for more than fresh produce.

Parker snorted along to the music while winking at the camera.

He tipped the scales at 18st 10lb (119 kg), just five pounds lighter than his career-heaviest as he flexed his muscles, looking strong and powerful as he did so.

It is a far cry from the 16-year-old (12 kg) version, who lost his world title to Anthony Joshua in 2018.

Wardley, who was wearing an Ipswich Town jersey, smiled straight at the crowd and appeared to be zoned in.

Wardley may be the lighter of the two, but he has incredible knockout strength. In June, he led on the scorecards before halting his opponent in the tenth round despite being outboxed the majority of the time.

“I’m supposed to be at the top of this division,” Wardley said of Josh Parker, his team, and boxing fans.

Kellie Harrington, a two-time Olympian champion, has confirmed her retirement plans.

The Dubliner won lightweight gold at Tokyo’s delayed 2020 Games and defended her title at Paris’ 2024 competitions.

Harrington announced her retirement from boxing after winning the title match against China’s Yang Wenlu at Stade Roland Garros. She became the first Irish boxer to win two gold medals at the same Olympics.

However, there were reports that the 35-year-old was back in training and had made the decision to return to the ring. She told the Irish Times that she intends to compete in the Irish Elite Championships in January.

“A year of living somewhat normal is not for me,” I said. Simply put, it’s not for me for the moment. she stated.

In December, I’ll turn 36. Why not, then? Nothing can be said about the [next] Olympics or anything similar. I’m well-known to everyone. Never say anything about winning or competing in the Olympics. I never stop looking at one fight or competition at one. And I’m doing that as well.

But I do think for a moment and wonder if I hadn’t tried it once more. I’m fairly healthy and fit. I’m currently struggling with a few niggles, but overall I’m healthy. Why wouldn’t I, then?

Before moving on to the Irish Elite Championships in January, where she will compete for her 12th title, Harrington will first enter the ropes in Dublin in December for a night of exhibition boxing.

If that is to occur, it will likely give people a chance to enter the Olympic qualifiers from the following year.

The biggest step of all is the first, she continued, “it’s all small steps and small steps.”

After Paris, Harrington had helped out with sparring at Ireland’s High Performance Unit, but she had not yet fully recovered from boxing.

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association [IABA] who praised her return said they are “honoured” to back up her decision.

High Performance Director Jon Mackey praised IABA’s High Performance Unit for supporting Kellie over the past year as she transitioned after Paris.

She has spent the past 12 months active and a significant component of High Performance life.

“We’re delighted Kellie chose to fight for her 12th Elite title at Irish Boxing’s home on January 1, and we’re excited to do so with a special event at the Mansion House on December 2.

With a dominant straight-set victory over Alexander Bublik, Jannik Sinner advanced to the semi-finals of the Vienna Open.

Italian world number two Sinner was only able to defend his fourth title of the year with just one break in the second set.

For a place in the final, four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner will face Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who only managed to score five points on serve throughout the entire contest.

The 24-year-old has won 60 of his past 66 matches, falling short of Carlos Alcaraz’ position as the top-ranked men’s player in the US Open final.

Sinner, the world number 16, defeated the Kazakh at the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion on Friday, but the Kazakh was untouchable.

In all of his service games, Sinner consistently put pressure on Bublik and was successful in taking two of his eight break points.

De Minaur, who lost to Matteo Berrettini in the semi-finals, won 6-1 7-6 (7-4).

Only Alcaraz, the world’s number one on the ATP Tour in 2025, could match his 53rd victory of the season.

After Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor withdrew from their quarter-final match, German world number three Alexander Zverev is also through.

With that outcome, Zverev, who is second overall in Vienna, joins Alcaraz, Sinner, and Novak Djokovic as the top four players to advance to the ATP Finals in November.