Joseph Parker has been installed as the WBO heavyweight mandatory challenger with Oleksandr Usyk ordered to begin negotiations.
The unbeaten Ukrainian has been expected to enter rematch talks with Daniel Dubois over an undisputed bout in the UK.
Usyk stopped ‘Dynamite’ in their August 2023 dust-up in Poland in the ninth round – but the fight wasn’t without controversy after Dubois’ knockdown of The Cat was ruled as a low blow.
And it seems like the Londoner, who holds the IBF strap, will have to wait some more in his quest to exact revenge on the WBA, WBO and IBF king.
That is because the WBO have ordered Usyk to agree a fight with Parker’s camp within the next 30 days, otherwise the sanctioning body will pursue purse bid proceedings.
Parker has held the WBO interim strap since beating Zhilei Zhang in March 2024.
He has already help the full WBO belt between 2016-2018 as he looks to become a two-time world champion.
The New Zealand native had been scheduled to face Dubois for the IBF title last time out – only for his rival to pull out on fight week due to illness.
It led Parker to face heavy-hitting Martin Bakole in Saudi Arabia last month instead, where he brutally knocked him out in the second round.
Usyk got a first-hand look at the 33-year-old in Riyadh, with his stunned reaction to the stoppage there for all to see.
The former undisputed cruiserweight champion is currently enjoying some downtime following back-to-back points victories over Tyson Fury.
But he knows he must be at his best if he wishes to prevail against Parker, who looks a boxer transformed since his KO defeat to Joe Joyce in September 2022.
Parker has won each of his six fights inside the squared circle since his loss at Manchester Arena.
His victories over Deontay Wilder, Zhang and Bakole have made him one of the most feared men in the division.
And his promoter David Higgins has declared his man is chomping at the bit to become a world champion once more.
He told Sky Sports of the Usyk bout: “We have no idea whether or not it will happen next.
“But I can tell you this. I’ve spoken to Joseph Parker today and he would love to fight for a world title.
“He will fight anyone, anywhere for a world title. That’s his goal, to fight for a world title.
“Joseph is patiently waiting, keeping fit, and if an opportunity comes to fight for a title, he would love to grab it. We’d take it in a heartbeat.”
It’s a fight that Usyk has already given his blessing too when reeling off his immediate future in boxing before he hangs up his gloves.
Speaking prior to Dubois withdrawing from his bout with Parker, Usyk said: “I will fight whoever will win [between Parker and Dubois].
“Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois, no problem. I think two years, one-and-a-half [left in boxing.
“I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare [for], not more. Just two.”
