Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley - Fight Predictions

Plus, the undercard and other bits and pieces from the boxing world

Oct 22, 2025

Joseph Parker heads to the O2 Arena, London, this Saturday evening to take on Fabio Wardley in a heavyweight collision of commanding contenders. While the entire card is incredibly weak for a Pay-Per-View, the main event is a good matchup.

Even though both would consider themselves world-class (Parker undoubtedly, given his achievements and former title status), with Usyk around, everyone else is feeding off scraps under the table.

Wardley’s brute strength and raw power are key weapons. However, Parker’s sound fundamentals and championship experience make him a tough nut to crack. Who will prevail?

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Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley

A unification clash between two Interim champions sums up boxing in 2025. Despite the dodgy silverware, designed to keep the purse filled while Usyk reigns supreme, this is a solid effort.

Originally, Boxxer had scheduled the BBC’s heavyweight debut show for the same evening, but when Jeamie TKV got injured, his clash with Frazer Clarke was postponed until late November.

Sparing Frank Warren’s perpetual rage, the show must go on. Wardley’s power is real. His technical prowess might be lacking, but that will not stop him from repeatedly attempting to close the gap and land big shots on Parker.

The New Zealander knows how to navigate through a fight against a big puncher. He’s done that with AJ, Zhang, Wilder etc, so he should be able to tuck up, get the jab and grab going and close down Fabio.

One thing to say about Wardley, though, is that he won’t stop pitching. Parker may be hurt at some point in the fight, possibly dropped. There is enough evidence to suggest he can ride out those moments and may even have Wardley on the rack himself late on.

Steve’s Prediction: Joseph Parker Wins Pts 12 Fabio Wardley

Ezra Taylor vs. Steed Woodall

Nottingham man Taylor was supposed to box his domestic rival and official beef partner, Lewis Edmondson, who withdrew on fight week with a hip injury.

While Steed Woodall is a good replacement, Taylor should have enough freshness and firepower to deal with him relatively comfortably. The question is: can Woodall take the punches and last the distance? Also, can he find the right hand that erased Lerrone Richards and make things interesting?

That’s two questions. Woodall isn’t a lie-down-and-accept-his-fate kind of guy. I think his ambition might lead him to walk onto one. 12 rounds is a long time and Steed won’t ride out of this one easily. Taylor stoppage for me.

Steve’s Prediction: Ezra Taylor Wins TKO 9 Steed Woodall

Arnie Dawson vs. Mitchell Smith

Once upon a time, Mitchell Smith was a strong prospect, plying his trade on BoxNation. Since losing to George Jupp a decade ago, Smith disappeared from the ring, battling the law and substance abuse problems.

He also gained considerable weight, walking around at a similar weight to the main eventers. Since shedding the blubber, Smith is back and seeking to regain some of the old swagger.

While the younger, more active Dawson might be a more sensible pick, I reckon Smith can get over the line here, provided his stamina holds up down the stretch. Dawson is unbeaten, can punch a bit, but has not mixed at this kind of level before.

Steve’s Prediction: Mitchell Smith Wins Pts 10 Arnie Dawson

Danny Quartermaine vs. Royston Barney-Smith

Touted as something of a prospect in the Queensberry camp, it’s time for Barney-Smith to step up and deliver a breakthrough display. Pulling out of fights has been a problem for ‘Sugar Boy Roy’, who hasn’t fought since April.

Separating himself early from Quartermaine, who is an honest domestic operator, will be key. There are a couple of factors at play here for me…

Quartermaine possibly hits a little harder than his record suggests and there is always the potential for head clashes when he fights. If Royston can avoid both, he should have smooth enough skills to win.

Steve Prediction: Royston Barney-Smith Wins Pts 12 Danny Quartermaine

Other Boxing News and Notes

Ben Whittaker will face little-known Benjamin Gavazi on November 29 in his matchroom debut. It will be interesting to see how Eddie Hearn deals with Whittaker, whose “Razzmatazz, moves and following,” as Eddie describes it, are all valid, yet don’t match the in-ring performances.

Not that Whittaker is a bad fighter by any means; only the early-career hype has died down, as his displays levelled off relatively quickly along the way to projected stardom.

Initial matchmaking signals (as shared on X by IFL TV) point to a slow-burning agenda that, considering all goes well, will eventually lead to the likes of Joshua Buatsi or Willy Hutchinson. I’m not saying that approach is wrong, but it answers any questions about their ambitions, if all roads lead to ‘The Hutch Train’.

Elsewhere, Adam Azim was limbering up for a Russian challenge on November 15. That was until Zaur Abdullaev withdrew from the contest due to visa issues. SW Boxing understands that Richard Commey will fill the gap.

Commey pulled out of his own upcoming bout with Nahir Albright due to “personal reasons”. Those reasons are likely to be a phone call from Azim’s handlers.

What’s next for Hughie Fury? The big heavyweight, who feels like a lifelong bridesmaid to the stars, is rumoured to be returning on a GBM show in the Netherlands. Expect fast-rising prospect Gradus Kraus to headline that one.

Image Credits: Queensberry Promotions, Matchroom Boxing

There goes my predictions. What are YOU thinking? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t be afraid to return after the weekend and let me know what I got spectacularly wrong!

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