Tony Bellew makes his prediction for Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley

Tony Bellew has backed Joseph Parker to make his experience count when he collides with Fabio Wardley in what promises to be a brutal heavyweight encounter next month. 

Both men have been in impressive form recently and each have been knocking on the door for a world title showdown with current ruler, Oleksandr Usyk, who became undisputed champion for a second time in July when stopping Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. 

Despite the high rankings possessed by both Parker and Wardley, a showdown against Usyk is still no closer to taking place and they have decided to strengthen their case to face the unbeaten Ukrainian by taking on each other. 

The fight will see Wardley’s power go up against the versatility of Parker, and when hyping the fight at a press conference earlier this month, both men demonstrated confidence and an eagerness to win before the final bell. 

Bellew, a former world cruiserweight champion, knows the heavyweight division well after facing David Haye twice, and although he’s an admirer of both fighters, he’s leaning towards Parker when making his prediction. 

“I think Parker stops him in the second half of a brilliant fight,” said Bellew when speaking exclusively to FightLens. 

“Wardley has so much heart and he’s willing to absorb so much just so he can get his big shots off, but I just think Parker knows too much at this stage. 

“Parker will have to overcome some rocky moments in the early stages of the fight, but he will outlast and outwork Wardley and I think he will make him pay in the closing stages after Wardley has given it everything.”