Oleksandr Usyk must face Joseph Parker or risk losing his WBO Heavyweight title. The WBO has ordered the Ukrainian champion to start negotiations with Parker immediately.
Usyk's team at K2 Promotions now has 30 days to reach a deal with Parker's Queensberry camp. If they can't agree, the WBO will call for purse bids.
The WBO World Championship Committee said:
"Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations between the subject matters fighters to discharge the WBO mandatory championship obligation in the Heavyweight Division. By virtue of this order, the WBO Interim Championship shall be terminated expeditiously in compliance with our institutional policy of only one world champion per weight class."
Usyk won the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts from Anthony Joshua. He defended them against Daniel Dubois before becoming undisputed champion by beating Tyson Fury last May. He then gave up the IBF belt and won a rematch with Fury in December.
Parker, a former WBO champ himself, picked up the interim title recently. He stepped in to fight Martin Bakole after Dubois pulled out due to illness. Parker won that fight in just two rounds.
"The parties have 30 days to reach terms. Failure to do so will result in this Committee ordering purse bid proceedings in accordance with WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests."
Usyk wants to fight new IBF champ Dubois for undisputed status. He'll have to work out a deal with Parker first or give up another belt. We'll likely hear announcements on next moves for both Usyk and Dubois in the coming weeks.
