Elton John famously told us that Saturday night’s alright for fighting, but what about the other days in the week? Luckily for us, the world of boxing doesn’t follow the strict window the British pop star permits for fisticuffs…

So, alongside a stellar night of heavyweight action inside London’s O2 Arena, this weekend is also serving up a Sunday treat in Kyrgyzstan and even stretching into Wednesday for some action in the Philippines.

Let’s take a closer look at another weird and wonderful weekend (and week!) of boxing.

1. Will Joseph Parker’s gamble pay off?

WBO interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) just wants to fight. I know that, because he told me so (insert shameless plug to my feature with the affable Kiwi from yesterday).

“Wow, a boxer wants to have a fight. Breaking news!”

You may scoff with sarcasm, but considering the position the 33-year-old finds himself in within the current heavyweight picture, he could easily be persuaded into putting his feet up and — much like Shaun’s plan of action in the 2004 film "Shaun Of The Dead" — "wait for all this to blow over.”

But Parker isn’t built like you or I.

Richard Pelham via Getty Images

Outside of the undisputed master of the heavyweight division, Oleksandr Usyk, Joseph Parker stands as the man in form. He’s not just winning — he’s evolving.

Under the calm, considered eye of trainer Andy Lee, the New Zealander has reshaped himself into one of the most complete big men in the sport today — lighter on his feet, sharper in his decision-making, and brimming with confidence.

Next up, though, comes a genuine test of nerve and timing. Fabio Wardley awaits this Saturday night inside London’s O2 Arena. Unbeaten, hungry, ambitious with youth on his side. Wardley is also armed with that rare equalizer: A punch that can end an argument in an instant.

For Parker, it’s a risk — no question. He’s gambling momentum, reputation, and perhaps even another shot at world honors on the road to 2026, where the goal is to reclaim a piece of the heavyweight crown.

But then again, Parker’s not a man who listens much to outside voices. He’s walking his own path, and right now, that path runs straight through London.

2. Is Fabio Wardley world class?

Part of Joseph Parker’s gamble this Saturday night is figuring out whether Fabio Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) truly belongs at the top table of heavyweight boxing.

We’ve all heard Wardley’s backstory: He joked to The Guardian this week that his Netflix series would be called “White Collar to World Champion,” emphasizing his fairly unique route to this level.

But everything Wardley has done so far has been impressive. Sure, Justis Huni had his number through every round of their June contest, but that’s irrelevant when you possess the right hand the Ipswich man does, which closed the show in the 10th.

Or is it irrelevant? I guess time will tell. Deontay Wilder proved that a one-punch knockout reputation can take you pretty far in boxing's heavyweight division. Then again, Parker proved to Wilder that it only takes you so far…

3. Luis Nery in featherweight debut against a Thai youngster in Kyrgyzstan

Luis Nery. Thai youngster. Kyrgyzstan. If you’ve read on under this subheading then congratulations: you can officially put "boxing anorak" on your updated résumé.

Confession time: These are the kind of events that pop out of the Boxrec schedule and draw me in. I’m not ashamed to admit that.

After years following the careers of — and interviewing on several occasions — Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Sivenathi Nontshinga and Tugstsogt Nyambayar, I’ve developed a penchant for fighters and fighting locations that would rack up monstrous scoring points in a game of Scrabble.

I'm not sure that Kyrgyzstan — a nation with an active fighting scene and a proud amateur background — can be filed completely under the "niche" heading, but Mexico’s Luis Nery fighting there certainly edges it closer into the realms of obscure.

Former two-weight world champion Nery moves up into the featherweight ranks, and will test himself in the 126-pound waters against Thailand’s Sathaporn Saart on Sunday night, local to the Bishkek Arena.

It marks a fresh chapter for Nery (36-2, 28 KOs), who’s been plotting a return to the championship stage after a turbulent yet thrilling run at the lower weights.

Those close to his camp say the 29-year-old is targeting a WBO featherweight title shot against Angelo Leo in the first half of 2026 — a move that could see the southpaw become a three-division world champion.

Richard Pelham via Getty Images

4. Mitchell Smith continues his return to boxing

Mitchell Smith (18-1, 9 KOs) returns to the ring this weekend hoping to become the feel-good story of the Parker vs. Wardley card inside London’s O2 Arena.

The 32-year-old takes on unbeaten Arnie Dawson for the vacant WBO European title at lightweight, but after years struggling in boxing’s shadows, this 20th fight of the “Baby Faced Assassin’s” career is about way more than the trinket up for grabs.

Once hailed as one of British boxing’s brightest prospects, Smith’s career has been defined as much by its interruptions as its highlights.

Since 2015, the years have slipped away in a blur of chaos — alcohol, recreational drugs, gambling, and the yo-yo torment of weight gain and loss. There was even a spell in prison — a stark full-stop in a career that once promised so much.

But since making a considered return in 2022, Smith has pieced together three wins in low-key six-rounders, and now has the chance to reclaim his identity as a prizefighter this Saturday night under the bright London lights.

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5. A happy hump day in the Philippines for the WBC minimumweight title

If you’re not willing to stretch the weekend into Wednesday, then that’s more a reflection of you I’m afraid.

Inside the Araneta Coliseum in Barangay, Phillippines, Manny Pacquiao Promotions are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s titanic rubber match with Joe Frazier — and what better way to do it with a couple of 104-pounders?

Add together the weight of the defending WBC minimumweight champion, Melvin Jerusalem (24-3, 12 KOs), and his South African challenger, Siyakholwa Kusa (9-2-1, 4 KOs), and you’re still 16 pounds short of what Ali weighed in at for that legendary heavyweight contest in 1975.

At age 31, Jerusalem is a fighter quietly building a legacy at minimumweight. The Filipino champion makes the third defense of the world title he first captured last year, when he outpointed Yudai Shigeoka — a result he coolly replicated in their rematch this past March.

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