Joseph Parker’s long-deferred heavyweight title opportunity has arrived, at least on paper. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced Thursday that the organisation has formally ordered undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk to defend his belt against Parker, the WBO interim titlist and mandatory challenger. A negotiating window will be set in the coming days; should talks collapse, the bout will head to purse bid.
Parker earned his interim strap in February when he demolished late-notice substitute Martin Bakole in two rounds at ANB Bank Arena in Riyadh. The New Zealander was originally slated to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF title that night, but Dubois withdrew ill during fight week and later secured a rematch with Usyk. The Ukrainian maestro dispatched Dubois inside five rounds last Saturday at Wembley Stadium, cementing a second straight stoppage over the Londoner and tightening his grip on the four-belt crown.
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Whether Usyk chooses Parker next is far from certain. Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh and Tyson Fury have both signalled interest in an even more lucrative trilogy fight between Usyk and the brash Brit, whose only professional defeat came via split decision to Usyk fourteen months ago in Riyadh and was reaffirmed by unanimous decision in their December rematch. If Usyk bypasses Parker, he risks being stripped of the WBO title, but the financial allure of a third Fury encounter may prove persuasive.
Parker, a former WBO champion now on a six-fight tear since a stoppage loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, has rebuilt his résumé with victories over ex-beltholders Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in addition to the Bakole blowout. The Ring currently lists the 32-year-old New Zealander as its No. 3 heavyweight contender behind Fury. He insists he is ready at last to reclaim his old title, even if his dance partner may have other, richer plans.
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