Thu Mar 13 12:15:55 UTC 2025: ## Usyk Ordered to Face Parker in Mandatory Title Defense
**London, UK** – Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has been given a month to negotiate a title defense against Joseph Parker, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced Thursday. This decision throws a wrench into plans for a rematch between Usyk and Daniel Dubois, who had hoped to challenge the Ukrainian for all four major world heavyweight titles.
The WBO has mandated that Usyk, who also holds the WBC and WBA belts, must reach an agreement with Parker within 30 days. Failure to do so will result in purse bids to determine the fight. Parker secured his mandatory position by defeating Martin Bakole in Riyadh last month.
This development comes as a blow to Dubois, who withdrew from a scheduled fight with Parker due to illness and subsequently hoped for a rematch with Usyk following his ninth-round knockout loss in August 2023. While negotiations for a four-belt unification bout between Usyk and Dubois were underway, the WBO’s ruling gives Parker priority.
Usyk, who became the undisputed heavyweight champion after defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024 (before vacating his IBF belt), has a perfect 23-0 professional record. He has previously stated his intention to have two more fights before retirement. Parker, a former WBO champion, is currently on a six-fight winning streak. The WBO’s decision highlights the complexities of the boxing world, where multiple governing bodies often lead to competing claims for title fights.
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