3 hours ago
33
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.
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That’s after Usyk started talks for a rematch with Daniel DuboisGettyAccording to Sky Sports, however, the Ukrainian superstar has to begin negotiations with Parker, 33.
The two heavyweights have 30 days to reach an agreement for the ordered mandatory encounter.
Failing to do so will lead to the WBO ordering purse bid proceedings.
That means a rematch with Dubois, 27, is off for now and perhaps the foreseeablefuture.
The British star was beaten by Usyk in nine rounds in August 2023 – but only after controversy struck following a low-blow.
Dubois has since become IBF champion while his undefeated rival owns the other three WBC, WBA and WBO versions of the gold.
Many boxing fans have been hoping for one more match between the popular fighters after all the drama that unfolded two years ago in Poland.
Usyk went down in round five after Dubois landed a shot below the belt line.
But it caused huge uproar as Dynamite and his team insisted the punch was legal and even launched an appeal with the WBA.
The result stood and Usyk retained his titles as well as unbeaten record – setting up two fights with Tyson Fury.
The heavyweight star ended Fury’s unbeaten record in the first bout via split decision in May to be crowned the first four-belt heavyweight undisputed champion.
But to proceed with the rematch against the Gypsy King – which he also won via unanimous decision – Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF title, which Dubois inherited.
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