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

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.”