Oleksandr Usyk v Joseph Parker: Undisputed world heavyweight champion ordered to fight Kiwi

The WBO has ordered Oleksandr Usyk to face New Zealander Joseph Parker in a mandatory heavyweight title defence.

The Ukrainian was crowned undisputed world heavyweight champion on Saturday after beating Daniel Dubois in a fifth-round stoppage at Wembley Stadium.

The victory, sealed when he left the Briton on the canvas with a left-handed punch, secured a 24th professional win for the undefeated 38-year-old, who won back his IBF belt and added it to WBA, WBC and WBO titles.

After becoming undisputed world heavyweight champion for a second time, Usyk mentioned Parker as a possible future opponent.

Daniel Dubois (left) and Oleksandr Usyk in action during their IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO World heavyweight bout at Wembley Stadium, London. Photo / Getty Images

On Thursday, a letter from the WBO ordered negotiations to take place between Usyk and Parker for a mandatory heavyweight title bout.

Both fighters have 30 days to reach terms, otherwise purse bid proceedings will be ordered.

Parker defended his WBO interim title in Riyadh in February with a second-round stoppage against Martin Bakole, a late replacement for Dubois, who withdrew due to illness.

The New Zealand fighter had previously held the WBO title from 2016 to 2018 and is on a six-fight winning streak since losing to Joe Joyce in 2022.

Second time’s a charm?

In March, the WBO ordered negotiations to begin for a bout between Usyk and Parker, however the body received a petition to allow Usyk to fight Dubois for undisputed status.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri confirmed in late April it was in the sport’s best interests to allow the bout to happen prior to discharging the mandatory obligation.

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren said following Sunday’s bout that Parker is next in line.

“The first defence will be of his title, that will be the WBO belt and that will be against Joe Parker. That, again, could be a great fight,” Warren said.

“The WBO have ordered that fight, and that fight will have to happen or he will have to vacate the title.”

Parker is the logical choice for Usyk’s next challenger, as the 33-year-old former WBO champion is riding a six-fight winning streak that includes top-ranked names such as Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole.

“As a fan, I’d like to see the Joe Parker fight,” Warren said.

“Joe deserves it, he’s on a run himself similar to what Daniel was on, and that’s the fight that has been ordered. One way or another, it will either happen or Joe will fight for the vacant title.”

However, Usyk is not without his suitors.

Speaking in the ring after his win over Dubois, Usyk listed Parker, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as possible opponents for his next outing, while several fans and pundits – including Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia‘s General Entertainment Authority – have suggested rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma should be the next to step into the ring with the undisputed champion.

Itauma, 20, has been impressive through his unbeaten 12-bout professional career to date, but is currently booked to take on Dillian Whyte in Saudi Arabia in August.

Speaking to Sky Sports UK, Parker’s manager David Higgins said it would be an outrage if Usyk did not fight the Kiwi next.

“The whole world wants to see Parker fight for a world title,” Higgins said.

“He’s been in the queue for a long time. He’s a frontrunner. He’s mandatory with the WBO. It’s great to hear Frank Warren saying Parker next. It’s great to hear experts like Lennox Lewis saying Parker next.

“I think it would be an outrage if he didn’t get the shot. It’s not really fair.”

AFP/NZ Herald