The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) have mandated reigning heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, to begin negotiations in earnest with Joseph Parker for a mandatory title fight.
The 38-year-old Ukrainian is the reigning WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion following his second successive victory against Tyson Fury last December, while 33-year-old Parker retained his interim WBO title in February with a second-round knockout win over Martin Bakole.
Britain’s Daniel Dubois, who currently holds the IBF heavyweight belt, is already in talks to face Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title. However, following the latest developments, Usyk and Parker now have 30 days to find an agreement or the WBO will order purse bid proceedings.
Usyk is yet to lose in 23 fights as a professional, winning 14 by knockout while Parker has won his last six bouts in succession, including a victory against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.