THURSDAY March 13, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
By Idorenyin UMOREN
With inputs from AriseTV News
The World Boxing Organisation, WBO, has ordered world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to begin negotiations with Joseph Parker for a mandatory title defence.
Joseph Parker, 33, successfully defended his interim WBO heavyweight title in February with a second-round knockout victory over Martin Bakole.
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk currently holds the World Boxing Council, WBC, World Boxing Association, WBA (Super), and WBO heavyweight titles, having secured his second consecutive win against Tyson Fury in December.
The WBO has given Usyk, 38, and Parker 30 days to reach an agreement for their fight; otherwise, a purse bid will be ordered. Meanwhile, Britain’s Daniel Dubois, the International Boxing Federation, IBF, heavyweight champion, is in discussions to face Usyk for the undisputed title.
Dubois had been scheduled to fight Parker on 22 February but withdrew due to illness and is not considering rescheduling the bout.
New Zealand’s Parker previously held the WBO title from 2016 to 2018, defeating Andy Ruiz Jr to claim the vacant belt before losing it to Anthony Joshua after two successful defences. Since his third career loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, Parker has won six consecutive fights, including a victory over former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
Usyk remains unbeaten in his professional career, winning all 23 fights, including 14 by knockout. He previously became the undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to heavyweight, where he achieved the same feat.
Saudi Arabia has hosted many major heavyweight bouts in recent years, including Usyk’s two most recent fights against Fury in Riyadh. However, following his first victory over Fury in 2024, Usyk vacated his IBF title, which led to interim champion Dubois being elevated to full champion before his September victory over Joshua.
