BoxRec

OLEKSANDR USYK VS. JOSEPH PARKER: MANDATORY FIGHT IS ORDERED BY THE WBO

World Boxing Organization president Gustavo Olivieri has revealed that his organization is ordering their world champion, Oleksandr Usyk, to make a mandatory defense against interim-champion Joseph Parker.

"WBO is officially ordering the enforcement of the WBO Mandatory between Usyk & Parker to expeditiously terminate the Interim Champion status. This action aligns with our firm policy of maintaining only one champion per weight class," Olivieri stated on social media.

Parker was in action last month in Riyadh, when he knocked out late-replacement Martin Bakole in two rounds.

Usyk retained his Ring, WBO, IBO, WBC, WBA titles when he secured a twelve round decision win over Tyson Fury in their December rematch, which also took place in Riyadh.

The WBO has given Usyk and Parker 30 days to reach an agreement before a purse bid is called.

Earlier today, Sky Sports reported that Usyk's team had begun discussions for a potential unification clash with IBF world champion Daniel Dubois. The recent order by the WBO has certainly created a hurdle for that potential matchup.

Both Dubois and Parker are promoted by allegedly of Queensberry Promotions. The two boxers were scheduled to collide last month in Riyadh, but Dubois withdrew during fight week with an illness - which led to Bakole accepting the fight on two days notice.

Parker has progressed heavily, but Usyk looks unbeatable today.

DrDuke wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 00:38 Parker has progressed heavily, but Usyk looks unbeatable today.

I agree about Parker but disagree about Usyk. IMO Usyk was at his best at cruiserweight and is very much on the decline. His age will catch up with him and he'll come a cropper sooner or later.

Usyks skills are top class, but it takes lightning reflex’s and crazy fitness to box how Usyk boxes… much like Loma the second that slows a touch you are beatable. (Still the best in the world but definatly beatable).

hed still beat parker if they fight this year

Probably an academic discussion. Everything seems to be pointing towards Usyk v Dubois 2 unfortunately. Parker will most likely fight for the vacant belt.

People are thinking Parker has a chance based on his last performance. Maybe watch the Hughie Fury fight again and then make a conclusion.

Usyk is definitely on the slide. He has lost a step from Aj 1 to the Fury rematch.

This is happening. I'm please for Joe, he deserves his shot. Relatively easy night for Uysk.

fighting parker was never talked about by usyk - he was ready to go for DD after fury 2 .
But now these sancitioning bodies are meddling and want to interfere with the undisputed status that is available with the DD fight - stinks .

mickey1975 wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 03:02 Usyk is definitely on the slide. He has lost a step from Aj 1 to the Fury rematch.

well i think you need new specs if thats what you can see - or a bigger telly

stevec@france wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 07:16

mickey1975 wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 03:02 Usyk is definitely on the slide. He has lost a step from Aj 1 to the Fury rematch.

well i think you need new specs if thats what you can see - or a bigger telly

Really? I think Fury is past his best and pushed him all the way twice.

WBO doing God's work. Usyk is looking almost past it but he still beat Fury with ease.

Usyk could drop the belt

Controversial wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 12:14 Usyk could drop the belt

that would be funny cuz one of the hype points of dubs-usyk is UNDISPUTED!!!

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 12:15

Controversial wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 12:14 Usyk could drop the belt

that would be funny cuz one of the hype points of dubs-usyk is UNDISPUTED!!!

Couldn't they just agree winner of Usyk Vs Dubois drops the belt and Parker gets upgraded?

mickey1975 wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 07:25

stevec@france wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 07:16

mickey1975 wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 03:02 Usyk is definitely on the slide. He has lost a step from Aj 1 to the Fury rematch.

well i think you need new specs if thats what you can see - or a bigger telly

Really? I think Fury is past his best and pushed him all the way twice.

Fury is past his best which is why the 2nd fight was a lot easier for Usyk .

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 03:02 People are thinking Parker has a chance based on his last performance. Maybe watch the Hughie Fury fight again and then make a conclusion.

Ha!
Your not tricking me into that!

Pukka Cheese wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 14:08

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 12:15

Controversial wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 12:14 Usyk could drop the belt

that would be funny cuz one of the hype points of dubs-usyk is UNDISPUTED!!!

Couldn't they just agree winner of Usyk Vs Dubois drops the belt and Parker gets upgraded?

WBO want them sanctioning fees.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 13:02

Ueky can only fight who the belt keeper orders him to. Parker is that person for the WBO but please dont get excited on his last win.

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 03:02 People are thinking Parker has a chance based on his last performance. Maybe watch the Hughie Fury fight again and then make a conclusion.

This was 8 years ago and training under Kevin Barry. He has evolved a lot since then. I think JP has as good of a chance as any to beat Usyk, but that is not an easy task

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 17:33

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 13:02

Ueky can only fight who the belt keeper orders him to. Parker is that person for the WBO but please dont get excited on his last win.

Usyk can fight whoever he wants. He is absolutely the consensus number 1 and I don’t see the need to attempt to regain or maintain undisputed status if it is not the best option.

In this rare case WBO are putting up the best option, ibf belt is the next best option. And wbc will put up the next best option after that… so the best options are the belts…

But if they weren’t (which they often arnt) then I would see no need for Usyk to try keep the belts. Once you’re the king, you just gotta fight the best regardless of what the sanctioning bodies throw at you….

Rather have this right now than Dubois rematch, Parker will not have a huge size advantage and he should rely on his speed and impact, and would be nice to see Usyk on a full gear.

Poor Kabayal.
He seems to be getting left out of the mix, after performing just as well, if not better than Dubois or Parker.
If anyone is going to give Uysk a hard time, I feel (very feel)it is him.
I also feel Dubois needs to fight Parker.