Wardley aims to benefit from his rival's bad luck

BRITISH heavyweight Fabio Wardley knows it is “harsh luck” that Joseph Parker has missed out on a shot at Oleksandr Usyk, but aims to benefit on Saturday night.

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Joseph Parker, left, and Fabio Wardley, who will go toe to toe on Saturday

(PHOTO by RICHARD PELHAM/ GETTY IMAGES)

WBO mandatory challenger Parker (36-3, 24KOs) has put together an impressive six-fight winning streak to go top of the queue for another world title fight, only to be left frustrated.

Parker was set to take on Daniel Dubois for the IBF belt in February only for his opponent to fall ill and, despite undisputed world heavyweight champion Usyk being ordered to fight him in March, no bout has materialised.

Yet, Auckland-born Parker, who lost his WBO belt to Anthony Joshua in 2018, has not kicked up a fuss.

Instead, Parker has accepted the challenge of putting his mandatory challenger status on the line at 02 Arena against Wardley (19-0-1, 18KOs), who has only fought 20 times but passed every hurdle put in his path.