Wbo Order Usyk To Face Mandatory Challenger Parker

Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered by nan WBO to statesman negotiations pinch mandatory challenger Joseph Parker.

The Ukrainian, 38, unified nan section for a 2nd clip connected 19 July pinch a fifth-round stoppage of Daniel Dubois astatine Wembley Stadium.

New Zealand's Parker hit Zhilei Zhang to triumph nan WBO interim loop successful March 2024.

Both parties person 30 days to find an statement aliases nan WBO will bid purse bid proceedings.

Parker held nan WBO title betwixt 2016 and 2018, beating Andy Ruiz Jr to declare nan vacant belt, but mislaid it to Anthony Joshua aft 2 defences.

Following conclusion by Briton Joe Joyce successful 2022, nan 33-year-old has won six fights successful a statement to re-emerge among nan title contenders.

Parker was group to look Dubois for nan IBF strap successful February, but nan Briton withdrew connected 2 days' announcement owed to illness. The New Zealander remained connected nan paper successful Riyadh and defended his interim title position pinch a stoppage triumph against Martin Bakole instead.

Parker was an ever-present and vocal fig during nan build-up to Usyk's latest occurrence and he watched from ringside arsenic nan two-weight undisputed champion put connected different masterclass successful London.

Usyk said he wanted to remainder for "two aliases 3 months" aft earning his 2nd triumph against Dubois, but named Parker, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora arsenic imaginable opponents.

He has yet to suffer successful 24 contests arsenic a professional, pinch 15 victories by knockout.