The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has ordered heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to begin negotiations over a mandatory title defence against Joseph Parker. Parker, who has been on a sensational run of fights,

OLEKSANDR USYK has been ordered to fight Joseph Parker by the WBO in a mandatory title defence. This comes just hours after Usyk, 38, held talks for a rematch with Daniel Dubois at Wembley.

Parker, who lost the WBO title to Anthony Joshua in 2018, has worked his way back into contention with six consecutive victories, including wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole. The 33-year-old New Zealander has revamped his style since his knockout loss to Joe Joyce in 2023 and now stands as Usyk’s mandatory challenger.

Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk ordered by the WBO to begin negotiations with Joseph Parker for a mandatory title defence.

Oleksandr Usyk's plans to rematch Daniel Dubois in an undisputed heavyweight title fight hit a major stumbling block Wednesday night.