Oleksandr Usyk's plans to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion face a new challenge. The WBO has ordered the Ukrainian fighter to defend his title against Joseph Parker, potentially derailing Usyk's goal of facing Daniel Dubois for all the belts.
Usyk currently holds the WBO, WBA, and WBC heavyweight titles. He won three belts from Anthony Joshua and added a fourth by beating Tyson Fury last year. Recently, Usyk vacated the IBF title to fulfill a rematch with Fury.
The WBO's decision puts Usyk in a tough spot. He's only interested in an undisputed fight with Dubois, who recently knocked out Anthony Joshua to claim the IBF belt. But now, Usyk must deal with Parker, the WBO's mandatory challenger from New Zealand.
Parker has put himself in this position with impressive wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole. The WBO has given Usyk and Parker 30 days to negotiate a fight.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri told Sky Sports:
"The WBO ordered the enforcement of its mandatory in the heavyweight division, Usyk-Parker, to be discharged accordingly."
There might be a way out for Usyk. His team could ask the WBO to delay the mandatory fight until after he faces Dubois. Olivieri explained:
"Not withstanding the foregoing, if a petition is lodged with the WBO requesting that the mandatory be 'stayed' until the unification takes place, that is a decision to be rendered by the Championship Committee. Per the discretion conferred to the Committee by our governing regulations, such request may be granted."
Usually, unification fights take priority over mandatory defenses. But many thought this wouldn't apply here because Usyk only fought Fury in 2024.
This situation also affects British boxing history. Dubois wants to join Lennox Lewis as the only British undisputed heavyweight champion. Interestingly, Dubois and Parker were supposed to fight earlier, but Dubois pulled out due to illness.
As negotiations begin, all eyes will be on Usyk's next move. Will he face Parker as ordered, or will he find a way to pursue his dream of becoming a two-time undisputed champion?
