Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley prediction thread

The best chance Wardley has of a stoppage is a behind the ear shot followed by a flurry and the ref waves it off. There is something about Wardley's flurries that scare refs into stopping fights. The Coffie fight was a terrible stoppage imo.

I think you are right @Tankatron, in that they will have picked something in Parker's style for a one punch KO and drilled that relentlessly. Then Wardley is going to spend the fight trying to find that one punch like he did against Huni.

A very risky strategy, especially against a fighter like Parker who is relatively defensively sound, can be cagey and has shown that he can take big punches and get up again like nothing happened.

 

Parker by KO in 4. If he takes it slow, in 5.

This will be an easy tune up fight for Parker before Usyk fight.

 

I like JP a lot and the analyst in me heavily favours him by a stoppage or a UD. I think he should Kronk after the stop too, going the distance just gives Wardley more chances for that one peach.

That said, I've put some money on a Wardley KO.

Wardley is where he is because of his evident power (and his heart I'd say).

I am a Joseph Parker fan but he is a hittable fighter.

Could those two ingredients serve up an upset sandwich?

It's an interesting fight - two great sportsman - best of luck to both.

 

If I was betting with my life and not cash...

Round 7 the ref or the corner save Fabio.

 

I'm a Parker fan, if that isn't already obvious, but I think Wardley was good value, especially earlier, the odds have closed up a bit though the closer we get to the fight.

 

By the minute it seems. They were 7/1 a while back, 5/1 this morning and 4/1 in the bookies by the time I happened to be up town.

Lots of Brits probably stacking money on that outcome I guess.

 

Parker by KO in the 8th round. Overhand right followed by a left hook.

 

Interesting fight.

Normally, I would pick Parker to out box Wardley and win a wide UD, with the possibility of a one punch KO from nowhere for Wardley.

However, Parkers recent weight gain is a worry. Yes, it may have a positive in increased punch power, particularly against a defensively open fighter in Wardley. But, if Wardley can weather the storm, Parker could tire with the increased mass.

This increase in bulk adds a bit of unknown quantity to the fight, for me. The old Parker who fought on the back foot is perfect for Wardley. That Parker wins comfortably. With the increase bulk, I'm assuming, also comes a more attacking Parker who will hold his feet more. This could be his undoing against a man who only needs one punch to win.

 

Parker in 5. I think he dominates Wardley.

 

I'm not liking Parker's recent energy in this fight week, he seems too tense and less relaxed. It leads me to think of a tense fighter who bites on feints in the ring and wears themself out in the build up and on the actual fight night.

 

Atrocious stoppage. But props on the prediction