Joseph Parker looks to take the next step on his return to a world title as he takes on hulking Australian Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu on Wednesday night.
Parker (31-3, 21KO) and Opelu 15-3 (11KO) headline the first-ever No Limit event in Melbourne at Margaret Court Arena.
With stars like Tyson Fury, Israel Adesanya, Tai Tuivasa and Alex Volkanovksi watching on ringside – watch heavyweights Joseph Parker v Faiga Opelu, the return of Nikita Tszyu plus former AFL stars Cameron Mooney and Tom Bellchambers in a pro-boxing debut. LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Wednesday 24 May 7PM AEST. ORDER NOW >
A major bonus for the Kiwi is the presence of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in his corner.
Fury, who flew to Australia on his own accord to support his sparring partner and close friend, will also scout various venues Down Under ahead of a potential fight on these shores.
But first he will support Parker against the dangerous Opelu, who finished Hemi Ahio on the undercard of George Kambosos v Devin Haney 2 last October.
Joining them on the card is Nikita Tszyu’s contest against 21-year-old Victorian Benjamin Bommber in what looms as the former’s first bout with plenty of emotion involved.
The two have gone at it in the lead-up, with the amount of rounds proving to be a major point of contention.
Bommber enters the fight on the back of impressive sparring showings in Las Vegas while Tszyu looks to continue building his reputation in the early days of his boxing career.
Also featuring on the card is a fight between former AFL stars Cam Mooney and Tom Bellchambers.
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all of Wednesday’s build-up and action
‘Someone getting knocked the f*** out!’ | 03:47
MORE COVERAGE
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‘Someone’s getting knocked the f*** out’: Fury takes over Aussie presser as rival camps clash
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Both men will make their in-ring debuts in a three-round heavyweight contest, with Fury expecting both to “knock lumps out of each other.”
Bellchambers was even likened to Fury in terms of his looks, but the ex-Bomber happily claimed he was an “uglier version” of ‘The Gypsy King’.
Regardless, there’s sure to be plenty of excitement when the former footy stars don the gloves and step into the ring on Wednesday night.
HOW TO WATCH
You can catch all of Wednesday’s action from Parker v Opelu LIVE on Main Event, available on Kayo and Foxtel.
Click here to order the event NOW!
WHEN DOES IT START?
The action from Parker v Opelu begins on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo from 6pm AEST.
The fights will then switch over to Main Event from 7pm AEST.
WHERE ARE THE FIGHTS TAKING PLACE?
Parker v Opelu will take place inside Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday May 24.
WHO IS THE FAVOURITE?
In the main event, Joseph Parker is a heavy favourite at $1.09 and is paying $1.53 for a KO/TKO victory.
Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu is a $8.50 outsider but in a heavyweight contest, it only takes one big punch to cause a massive upset.
The co-main event between Nikita Tszyu and Benjamin Bommber is also set to deliver plenty of fireworks.
Tszyu sits as the $1.08 favourite with Bommber a massive outsider at $9.50.
All odds via Sportsbet
FULL CARD
Joseph Parker VS Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu, 10 rounds, heavyweight
Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Bommber, 6 rounds, super welterweight
Cam Mooney vs Tom Bellchambers, 3 rounds, heavyweight
Joel Taylor vs Ben Horn, 6 rounds, 68.5kg catchweight
Jayde Mitchell vs Max Reeves, 8 rounds, 78.5kg catchweight
David Nyika vs Louis Marsters, 5 rounds, cruiserweight
Campbell Somerville vs Isaias Sette, 5 rounds, super welterweight
Luke Gersbeck vs Jack Moore, 5 rounds, 69.0kg catch weight