The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has formally initiated the countdown to Oleksandr Usyk’s next heavyweight title defense, and it must come against former champion, Joseph Parker, reports worldboxingnews.com.
News on Usyk vs Parker comes just hours after WBO President Gustavo Olivieri informed WBN of what was next following the champion’s second stoppage of Daniel Dubois.
“The Committee will convene this week to determine the next course of action pertaining to the Mandatory title defense obligation in the heavyweight division,” Olivieri exclusively told World Boxing News.
“As for Usyk’s performance last Saturday, he is simply an extraordinary generational talent. But most importantly, he is an exemplary human being.
“Being that the WBO was his first world sanctioning body, it is an honor to have Usyk as our champion inside and outside the ring.”
Yesterday, in an official letter issued and signed by WBO Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas, the organisation ordered both parties to begin negotiations for a mandatory heavyweight title contest.
Usyk, who currently holds the WBO, WBC, WBA, and IBF belts, will have 30 days to reach terms with Parker’s team or face a purse bid.
The WBO stated, “NOTICE: The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is formally ordering the start of negotiations for a mandatory heavyweight championship contest between Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker.
“Both parties have thirty (30) days from the issuance of this letter to reach an agreement. Failure to do so will result in the WBO ordering a purse bid.
“The minimum bid for this mandatory title defense is one million dollars ($1,000,000.00), and either party can request a purse bid at any stage of negotiations.
“The WBO reserves the right to issue further rulings and ensure the best interests of boxing are served.”
The move comes after Usyk defeated Dubois to become the first two-time undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
The IBF had initially stripped Usyk, who eventually gave up the belt voluntarily before winning it back from the Briton. Now, unless Usyk faces Parker and agrees to the fight before next month, the WBO will remove his World Boxing Organization version.
Parker, who won the interim WBO title against Zhilei Zhang and defended it against Martin Bakole, has experienced a career resurgence under the guidance of Andy Lee.
The former champion is now in a position to challenge for the full crown once again. He previously held the WBO title from 2016 to 2018, before losing a unification to Anthony Joshua.
The WBO’s ruling puts any other plans on hold unless Usyk and Parker can find a resolution through a step-aside agreement.
Should negotiations fail within the 30-day deadline, the WBO will call a purse bid with a minimum threshold of $1,000,000. Either team may trigger a purse bid at any stage should discussions stall.
