Joseph Parker.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The WBO has ordered negotiations for a bout between its interim heavyweight champion, New Zealander Joseph Parker and the unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The ruling body said both parties have 30 days to agree terms for a mandatory defence of Usyk’s title, and if they fail to do so the WBO will open a purse bid.
“The minimum bid in the Heavyweight division is US$1 million… any of the parties herein may request purse bid proceedings at any time during negotiation stages,” the WBO said in a statement.
Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk exchange punches during their IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO World Heavyweight titles’ fight.
Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Usyk has held the WBO belt since 2021 when he won it from Anthony Joshua along with the WBA and IBF titles, and has defended it four times, also taking the WBC belt from Tyson Fury to become the unified champion.
The undefeated Ukrainian vacated the IBF belt last year after opting not to face the sanctioning body’s interim champion Daniel Dubois in favour of a rematch with Fury, which he won by unanimous decision in December.
Usyk, 38, knocked out Dubois last weekend to regain the IBF belt and undisputed status.
New Zealand’s Parker won the interim WBO championship last year in a majority decision over Zhilei Zhang. He defended it in February, knocking out Martin Bakole.
– Reuters