WBO Orders Negotiations for Usyk-Parker Heavyweight Defense

Oleksandr Usyk, the unified heavyweight boxing champion, has been ordered by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to defend his WBO heavyweight title against interim champion Joseph Parker within a 30-day negotiation period. Usyk, who recently regained undisputed status by defeating Daniel Dubois, faces a critical decision: agree to fight Parker, vacate the WBO title, or risk losing it if no agreement is reached, prompting a purse bid with a minimum of $1 million. Parker earned his mandatory challenger status through wins over notable fighters like Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang, and Deontay Wilder, and his camp has shown no willingness to step aside. Despite the fight being unpopular with some promoters, including those behind Riyadh Season and Ring Magazine, Parker’s trainer Andy Lee believes Parker’s physical attributes and recent form give him a genuine chance to challenge Usyk’s dominance. The WBO emphasized the urgency of negotiations and the potential for a purse bid if terms are not settled promptly. Usyk’s next move will determine if he maintains his unified status or relinquishes one of his world heavyweight titles.