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Who Will Be the First Unbeaten Fighter to Take an L?

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HeavyweightBoxing.com

London, England, UK - Undefeated records fuel intrigue in heavyweight boxing. They bring momentum, confidence, and hype — but they also leave questions unanswered. Fans and analysts alike watch closely because when a fighter finally takes that first loss, it reshapes the division overnight.

WBO interim title holder Joseph Parker enters as the expected winner against Fabio Wardley, yet Wardley’s power and sheer will to press the fight could still turn the tables.

Right now, several top names are still carrying perfect records, while others are on the edge of tougher tests. Schedules are tightening, and the timing points to a few unbeaten runs being under threat sooner rather than later.

Odds for the Upcoming Heavyweight Bouts

Two fights stand out in the near term. On October 25 in London, Joseph Parker is heavily favored, trading at 2/9 odds with many of the best betting sites ranked for 2025, while unbeaten Fabio Wardley comes in around 9/2. The market reflects Parker’s steadier hand, his ability to manage rounds, and his experience in higher-pressure settings.

A week later, on November 1 in Orlando, Lenier Pero is priced at 2/13 to turn back Jordan Thompson, who is listed at 4/1. On paper, that suggests Pero’s unbeaten record is safer than Wardley’s — though heavyweights carry enough danger that nothing is ever guaranteed.

Why Wardley’s Unbeaten Run Draws the Most Doubt

The conversation around Fabio Wardley is less about potential and more about timing. He has power, ambition, and a willingness to solve problems under fire. But Parker brings steadier defense, sharper punch selection, and the scars of memorable moments of big fights that shape a veteran.

It’s the classic test: youth and firepower against ring IQ and craft. Wardley thrives in exchanges and momentum shifts, but Parker trims opportunities with positioning and control. That’s why most observers — and the betting board — put Wardley’s unbeaten run under the brighter spotlight heading into fight week.

Why Pero Looks Safer for Now

Lenier Pero’s assignment reads differently. The Cuban southpaw works at a measured pace, keeps his base, and rarely leaves defensive gaps after he punches. Jordan Thompson steps in with ambition, size, and right-hand power, but he’ll have to break through a style designed to minimize mistakes.

That doesn’t mean Thompson can’t land the big shot — every heavyweight carries that chance — but it does mean Pero’s structure and patience make him less likely to be the next fighter to see his zero disappear.

The Broader Picture

At the top, Oleksandr Usyk remains unbeaten after his fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in July, with no immediate test lined up this month. Agit Kabayel is still perfect after his upset of Zhilei Zhang, but seems to be waiting for a marquee opportunity rather than risking it on a stay-busy fight.

Prospects such as Richard Torrez Jr., Bakhodir Jalolov, and Moses Itauma continue building rounds against modest opposition. Their unbeaten records remain intact, but none have faced the kind of coin-flip contest that could crack them just yet.

That leaves Wardley, and to a lesser degree Thompson, as the names most likely to lose their perfect status in the near term.

What to Watch Fight Week

Markets can shift as fight week unfolds. If Wardley shows sharper feet and a more consistent jab in open workouts, his knockout chances may draw late money. If Parker looks lighter and sharper in sparring clips, confidence in the veteran will rise. In Orlando, any wobble in Pero’s preparation — or a surge of positive gym talk around Thompson — could close the gap.

Closing signals often tell the truest story, reflecting the final balance of sharp and public money. For now, though, the odds and styles line up with one conclusion:

Conclusion

Fabio Wardley stands as the unbeaten heavyweight most likely to take his first loss in the weeks ahead. Joseph Parker’s steadiness, experience, and proven ability under pressure make him the favorite. Lenier Pero, by contrast, looks set to hold his ground against Thompson.

At the highest level, the perfect records of Usyk, Kabayel, and the rising crop of prospects appear safe until a new contract brings tougher math. But in heavyweight boxing, the first “L” always comes suddenly — and it usually changes everything.

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Joseph Parker
Fabio Wardley
Lenier Pero
Jordan Thompson
Heavyweight Boxing