WBO Mandates Usyk Vs Parker For The Heavyweight Championship

The heavyweight division is always full of surprises, and this time, the WBO has made the call: Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning full heavyweight champion, must fight Joseph Parker, the interim titleholder. The long-anticipated Usyk vs Parker showdown is now officially in motion.

On March 13, 2025, the WBO officially ordered Usyk to start negotiations with Parker for a title bout. The announcement, sent via email by WBO chairman Luis Batista Salas, went directly to Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk of K2 Promotions, and Parker’s promoter, Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions. Shortly after, it was shared publicly on the WBO’s website, making it official: Usyk vs Parker is set to take center stage in the heavyweight division.

“Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations between [Usyk and Parker] to discharge the WBO mandatory championship obligation in the heavyweight division,” the statement read.

With this move, the WBO also confirmed that Parker’s interim title—something that has been floating around since 2022—will be eliminated. The organization only wants one champion per weight class, and this fight is meant to settle that once and for all.

Parker’s Long Road Back to a Title Shot

While Usyk has been at the top of the heavyweight division since 2024, Parker has had to battle his way back to a title opportunity.

The New Zealand heavyweight has been in the mix for years, but after losing to Joe Joyce in 2022 via knockout, he had to rebuild. Over the last two and a half years, he’s done just that, reclaiming the WBO interim title and defending it five times. However, despite his efforts, he hasn’t been seen as a major contender for the division’s top spot—until now.

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For Parker, this WBO ruling is a golden ticket. After years of fighting on the fringes, he’s now guaranteed a shot at the full WBO championship, and if he beats Usyk, it would be the biggest win of his career.

Source: WBO orders full heavyweight titlist Oleksandr Usyk to face interim Joseph Parker

Usyk’s Camp Has Other Plans—Will He Accept the Fight

Despite the WBO’s order, Usyk and his team may not be thrilled about facing Parker next. Just one day before the ruling, Usyk’s promoter, Krassyuk, told Sky Sports that they were in talks to set up a fight with IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois. That fight would be a rematch of Usyk’s dominant 2023 win over Dubois, which ended in a ninth-round stoppage.

Why is a rematch with Dubois so appealing to Usyk’s team? Simple: it would unify all four major heavyweight titles. That would make Usyk the undisputed champion with no debate. However, if he chooses Dubois over Parker, the WBO could strip him of his title, putting his undisputed status at risk.

Now, Usyk and Parker’s teams have 30 days to negotiate a deal. If they don’t come to terms, the WBO will send the fight to a purse bid, where different promoters will bid for the rights to host the fight. Given the money involved, both sides will likely try to work out a deal before it reaches that stage.

WBO Mandates Usyk vs Parker for the Heavyweight Championship

Why This Fight Matters for Both Fighters

For Usyk, this fight is about more than just defending his belt—it’s about securing his legacy. The 38-year-old former cruiserweight champion has proven himself at heavyweight, but time is not on his side. Every fight matters now, and he has to decide if he wants to face Parker or risk losing a title by pursuing Dubois instead.

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Meanwhile, for Parker, this is the fight of his life. While he was once a world champion, he has never been regarded as the top guy in the division. Beating Usyk would change everything, making him a two-time world champion and proving that he belongs among the sport’s elite.

Financially, the fight also has major implications. A well-promoted Usyk vs. Parker fight could bring in serious pay-per-view sales, particularly in key boxing markets like the UK, Ukraine, and New Zealand.

Will the Fight Actually Happen

The biggest question now is whether Usyk will go through with it. The WBO has been clear—if he doesn’t fight Parker, he could lose his belt. But boxing politics are always unpredictable. Usyk’s team might try to convince the WBO to let him fight Dubois first and face Parker later. However, since Parker holds the interim belt, the WBO may not be willing to wait any longer.

For Parker, this is a waiting game. If Usyk doesn’t take the fight and gets stripped, Parker could end up fighting for the vacant title instead. While that’s not as satisfying as beating Usyk directly, it would still make him a world champion again.

One way or another, the next few weeks will determine the future of the heavyweight division. Whether Usyk follows the WBO’s order or risks losing his title, Parker is now at the center of the conversation. Fans will be watching closely to see how this all plays out.