Usyk Ordered to Defend Undisputed Titles Against Parker

Oleksandr Usyk, having recently secured his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion with a knockout win over Daniel Dubois, has been officially ordered by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to defend his WBO heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker. The WBO has given both camps 30 days to negotiate terms for the fight, warning that failure to reach an agreement will result in a purse bid with a minimum offer of $1 million. Parker, the WBO interim champion and former full titleholder, has re-established himself as a top heavyweight contender after notable wins over Deontay Wilder and others. Fans and boxing insiders widely believe Parker could pose a significant challenge to Usyk, although Usyk is favored to win. Usyk can choose to vacate the WBO title to pursue other fights but risks being stripped of the belt if he declines to face Parker. This mandatory defense underscores the pressure on Usyk to balance his undisputed status with the WBO's policies and the heavyweight division's competitive landscape.