WBO orders champion Usyk to face Parker next

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has ordered heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to begin negotiations over a mandatory title defense against Joseph Parker.

Parker, who has been on a sensational run of fights, won the interim WBO title against Zhilei Zhang in March 2024.

He defended the belt in February with a Round 2 knockout win over Martin Bakole in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The New Zealander was set to fight Daniel Dubois on Feb. 22 for the IBF title, before Dubois was forced to withdraw with illness.

Usyk and Parker have 30 days to reach an agreement for their fight or the WBO will order purse bid proceedings.

Usyk had been linked with an undisputed title fight against Dubois, but the WBO’s order could disrupt those plans.