Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has been instructed by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to negotiate a mandatory title defense against Joseph Parker, a move that could dash British fighter Daniel Dubois’ hopes of securing a rematch with the Ukrainian.
The WBO’s official announcement today confirmed that Usyk, who also holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight titles, has 30 days to finalize terms with Parker.
If an agreement is not reached within this period, the governing body will proceed to purse bids, allowing promoters to bid for the rights to organize the fight.
Parker’s Rise to Contender Status
New Zealand’s Joseph Parker cemented his status as the WBO interim champion with a dominant second-round stoppage victory over Martin Bakole last month in Riyadh. This victory was significant as Bakole was a late replacement for Dubois, who withdrew due to illness.
Rather than rescheduling a fight with Parker, Dubois had been hoping for a rematch against Usyk, seeking to reclaim the titles he lost in August 2023, when Usyk defeated him via ninth-round knockout.
However, the WBO’s latest directive has placed Parker ahead of him in the pecking order.
Dubois’ Road to Redemption Complicated
After his loss to Usyk, Dubois has worked to rebuild his status in the heavyweight division. The 27-year-old British fighter has secured impressive victories, including stoppage wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.
His most significant victory came in September 2024, when he knocked out former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium.
This win boosted Dubois’ profile and positioned him as a potential opponent for Usyk in what was expected to be a four-belt unification fight.
However, the WBO’s latest order has thrown those plans into uncertainty, as Usyk must now prioritize a fight with Parker.
Usyk’s Legacy and Future Plans
Usyk made history in May 2024 by defeating Britain’s Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed world heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years.
However, he later vacated the IBF title, leading to Dubois being elevated to full champion in that division.
The 38-year-old Ukrainian, a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion, extended his perfect professional record to 23 wins (14 by stoppage) with another victory over Fury in December 2024, securing his unified status as the WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champion.
During his post-fight interview after beating Fury, Usyk was interrupted by Dubois, who entered the ring and demanded a fight. While many fans expected a rematch, Parker’s mandatory challenger status has taken precedence, making it unclear whether Dubois will get his wish.
Joseph Parker: The Next in Line
Parker is no stranger to the WBO heavyweight title, having held it from 2016 to 2018 before losing it to Anthony Joshua. The New Zealander is currently on a six-fight winning streak, which began after his loss to Joe Joyce in 2022.
His latest performances have impressed the WBO, and now, Parker is set to challenge Usyk for the world title in what could be one of the biggest fights of his career.
What’s Next for the Heavyweight Division?
With Usyk set to defend his WBO title against Parker, the heavyweight division remains in a state of flux. If the fight is finalized, Dubois may need to either wait for the outcome or seek another opponent to remain in contention for a future undisputed title fight.
Usyk, meanwhile, has previously stated that he plans to have just two more fights before retiring.
If his fight against Parker materializes, it remains to be seen whether Dubois or another heavyweight contender will get the chance to face him in what could be one of his final bouts.
For now, the boxing world awaits the outcome of negotiations, as Parker prepares to take his shot at the unified heavyweight champion, while Dubois’ path to redemption faces another major obstacle.
