Usyk, who holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO belts, has a perfect record of 23 wins with 14 knockouts. He's coming off a big win against Tyson Fury last December, where he kept his titles in a fight that went the distance.
Parker, from New Zealand, is the current WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion. He's been on a roll lately, winning his last six fights since losing to Joe Joyce in 2022. His most recent victory was a knockout win over Martin Bakole in Saudi Arabia this February.
"The WBO has ordered negotiations to begin immediately," a spokesperson for the organization said. "If the two camps can't come to an agreement within 30 days, we'll move to a purse bid."
Parker's no stranger to holding world titles. He won the WBO heavyweight belt back in 2016 when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr. He lost it to Anthony Joshua in 2018, along with the IBO and IBF titles.
The New Zealander has been working his way back to the top since then. One of his biggest wins came in December 2023 when he defeated Deontay Wilder, setting himself up for this title shot.
The heavyweight division is buzzing with activity. While Usyk and Parker are set to face off, other big names like Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Anthony Joshua are all in the mix, making for an exciting time in boxing's glamour division.
If Usyk and Parker can't reach a deal in the next month, the WBO will step in and handle the fight arrangements. Fans are eager to see if Parker can dethrone the undefeated Usyk and shake up the heavyweight landscape.