WBO orders Usyk vs. Parker mandatory fight

The WBO has mandated Oleksandr Usyk to defend his WBO title against Joseph Parker, the current interim champion.

The order came just a few days after Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois to win the IBF title and become undisputed champion for a second time.

Both fighters currently have 30 days to reach an agreement. Failure to reach one would mean Usyk would have to vacate the WBO title, bringing an end to his reign as undisputed champion.

Parker has been the interim champion for over a year now, since defeating Zhilei Zhang last year in March. A former WBO heavyweight champion, Parker has the opportunity for another reign, and it lies with Usyk.

The New Zealander was set to face Dubois for the IBF belt in February, but had to fight Martin Bakole instead, after Dubois pulled out of the fight at the last minute. 

After the Dubois defeat, Usyk had said that he would spend some time away from the sport to rest with his family.

However, it seems he may get back to the gym sooner than he expected to get in shape for the Parker fight. Although they may reach an agreement now, the date set could be months away, possibly around December. 

As undisputed champion, Usyk may have expected greater flexibility in deciding his next opponent, but it seems that may not be happening.

But if he does want to pursue an opponent of his own, he may have to give up the WBO title, just like he did last year when he agreed to the Fury rematch instead of facing Dubois, who was the interim champion then. 

Still, a Usyk-Parker bout is one that the heavyweight division cannot resist at this point. What you have here is two great boxers who have a history of going the distance against some of the big names in the division. 

Parker (36-3) may not have an unblemished record like Usyk (24-0), but he’s been in the heavyweight division for longer and has gone up against some heavy hitters, emerging victorious.

What’s left now is for both sides to come to an agreement and announce their intended fight date, or a possible forfeiture by Usyk, elevating Parker to full champion status.