Parker suddenly back in world title frame after WBO's Usyk demand
Joseph Parker is on the brink of another heavyweight world title shot after the World Boxing Organisation tonight ordered world champion Oleksandr Usyk to make a mandatory title defence against the New Zealander.
Parker may have feared his chance of becoming a two-time world champion had gone when his IBF world title fight against Daniel Dubois was cancelled after the Englishman pulled out of their fight in Saudi Arabia recently claiming illness.
Parker instead fought Martin Bakole, who accepted the fight in Riyadh on two days’ notice and was knocked out by the Kiwi within two rounds.
Boxing politics then appeared to prevail, with Dubois and Usyk in talks over a unification bout – but the WBO’s move will force the issue in Parker’s favour, and rightly so given he is the “interim champion” under Ukrainian Usyk.
Parker also has an affinity with the organisation, having won the WBO heavyweight world title as a 24-year-old in Auckland in 2016.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri stated on social media tonight: "The 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.”
If Usyk refuses to fight Parker, he will likely be stripped of the WBO belt, in the same way the IBF stripped him of that organisation's title last year when he refused to defend it against Dubois.
Instead, Dubois fought Anthony Joshua for the belt, with Dubois winning via a stunning knockout.
The influential Ring Magazine said tonight that the WBO has given Usyk and Parker 30 days to reach an agreement before a purse bid is called.
1News has contacted Parker, on holiday with his family in Fiji, and his manager David Higgins for comment.
The undefeated Usyk, the reigning WBO, IBO, WBC and WBA heavyweight world champion, last fought in December, a unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury in their rematch in Riyadh.
The WBO's move has prompted positive feedback among boxing fans, and indeed even former world champions, who admire the way Parker, now 33, has never ducked an opponent and indeed has reinvented himself.
Analysis: Boxing politics may rob Parker of his chance for glory
In stopping Martin Bakole, Joseph Parker did what he had to do in Riyadh. But another world title shot may be slipping away, writes Patrick McKendry.
Sport
Sun, Feb 23
0:29
Triumphant Parker returns and says: 'I want to fight again as soon as I can'
After demolishing his replacement opponent Martin Bakole in two rounds in Riyadh, Joseph Parker wants his title shot but is ready for anything.
Sport
Tue, Feb 25
Scotty Stevenson: Joseph Parker’s title limbo all about promoter payday
If you think Parker had little to fear in agreeing to the substitute bout, you may want to consider how much he had to lose, writes Scotty Stevenson.
Sport
Mon, Feb 24
0:29
After a loss against Joe Joyce in September, 2022, Parker is on a six-fight winning streak, having beaten Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Bokole in his last three bouts.
Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew, and Englishman, wrote on Twitter tonight: "They threw Joseph Parker to the wolves time after time and each time he came back leading the pack. After the problem with the Dubois fight he could have just waited and moved on but he didn’t! He fought the problem [Bakole] once again! FINALLY he’s been rewarded! Very well deserved..."
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