Who ya got? Joseph Parker fights Fabio Wardley this Saturday night

Likeable Joseph Parker knows something about punching power.

Parker has faced bangers Anthony Joshua, Joe Joyce, Deontay Wilder, and Zhilei Zhang during his boxing career.

Joshua won a wide decision over Parker in 2018. The New Zealander appeared reluctant to engage, aware of what would be coming back at him.

Three years ago, Parker fought Joyce. He nailed the big man with hellacious shots, but Joyce never blinked. He steamrolled Parker, knocking him out in round 11.

Parker’s career appeared over. Sometimes, when fighters get brutally knocked out, like Joyce had done to Parker, they’re never the same. Instead of quitting, Parker went back to the drawing board with new trainer Andy Lee.

He returned 14 months after losing to Joyce, winning a decision over Jack Massey. He stopped his next two opponents, then signed to fight former heavyweight champion Wilder. Parker once held a piece of the heavyweight title himself. He was confident and looked sharp in training.

The oddsmakers weren’t impressed. They made Wilder a 6-1 favorite. Parker proved them wrong, outboxing Wilder easily over 12 rounds.

Parker next threw hands with gigantic heavyweight Zhang.

Zhang was on a roll after knocking out Parker’s Bogeyman Joyce twice. He was favored to do the same to Parker, but like the Wilder fight, Parker boxed and stayed out of harm’s way, that is, most of the time.

Parker visited the canvas twice, but did enough to win the fight by majority decision. He then knocked out Marin Bakole, who took the fight on short notice.

The debate was on.

Was Parker fortunate to face an over-the-hill Wilder and an out-of-shape Zhang? With Wilder, yes, but like the Zhang fight, he fought intelligently.

Or is Parker hitting his prime at 33?

It could be a little of both. This Saturday night at the O2 Arena, Parker faces another powerful puncher. This one is young and hungry.

Fabio Wardley is undefeated with 18 knockouts in 19 wins. He’s green, but powerful. Wardley came close to losing his last fight until his power saved him.

Parker had a pretty good idea of what he’ll be facing.

“I think any heavyweight can put someone else’s light out, ” Parker said a few days ago on Sky Sports. “But going into this fight, I do believe there’s levels in this sport and I’ve been in this game for a long time. I’m grateful to have been in this game for a long time and still operate at the highest level. it’ll be nice to see what kind of challenges he’s going to bring,” Parker said.

“I’m going to be a lot more agile [with] a lot more speed, a lot more movement, and pick the shots where I can land in a way that’s important. I feel like it’s going to be a night filled with power, speed, drama,” he added.

Ok.

What does Wardley say?

“This is a huge moment in my career, a defining moment,” said Wardley. “I’ve not come this far to wait for things to be handed to me. I’m a go-getter.”

Expect him to go after Parker from the opening bell.

Will Parker have the answers?

I think so.

He’s improved his overall skills since hooking up with Lee.

But the questions linger.

Some should be answered Saturday night.