Riyadh: Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered by the WBO to defend his title against New Zealand's Joseph Parker, ending hopes of a rematch with Daniel Dubois.
Usyk, who holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO belts, has 30 days to reach an agreement with Parker before the fight goes to purse bids.
Parker secured his spot as the WBO's mandatory challenger after defeating Martin Bakole in Riyadh, while Dubois withdrew due to illness.
Dubois, who lost to Usyk in 2023, had been seeking a rematch for the undisputed heavyweight title. However, Parker’s six-fight winning streak has now placed him ahead in the queue.
Usyk, who became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years after defeating Tyson Fury in 2024, vacated his IBF title, allowing Dubois to be elevated to full champion. However, the WBO's decision has now complicated Dubois' chances of reclaiming the belts.
[Reported by Al Jazeera]
