Oleksandr Usyk‘s rematch with Daniel Dubois is months away, but the winner already knows who they will have to fight next.
Usyk and Dubois first fought back in August 2023. Although the Ukrainian got the win, it was not without controversy after he was put down by a low blow that the Brit’s side are adamant should have been called legal.
Usyk went on to stop Dubois in the ninth round and has since beaten Tyson Fury to claim undisputed honours, though vacated the IBF belt for a second fight with ‘The Gyspy King’ and Dubois picked that title up with a win over Filip Hrgovic.
In a thread on X, Gustavo Olivieri, the President of the World Boxing Organization, has declared that the winner of Usyk and Dubois on July 19 in London will be ordered to face former ruler and current interim champion, Joseph Parker.
“Having carefully considered the arguments presented by all relevant parties regarding the WBO Mandatory, it is the WBO’s position that the best interests of boxing and most importantly, the fighters themselves are best served by allowing the unification bout to proceed prior to discharging the mandatory obligation.
In doing so, the division will once again crown an undisputed champion, elevating the sport and its athletes to the highest standard. It is further clarified that Joseph Parker’s mandatory status is upheld, and he remains next in the rotation system following the unification.”
Parker was due to fight Dubois back in February, however, the Brit fell ill late in the late and pulled out of the contest. Parker instead fought late stand-in Martin Bakole and stopped him inside two rounds.
It was another great win on top of points victories over both Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder, which many believe makes Parker well deserving of this latest shot at a world title. Though he was already installed as Usyk’s mandatory, he will have to wait it out for slightly longer.
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