The boxing world has received confirmation that the winner of the upcoming Oleksandr Usyk versus Daniel Dubois rematch will be required to face Joseph Parker in a mandatory title defense. This development comes after the World Boxing Organization (WBO) named Parker as the official challenger for the heavyweight championship belt.
Frank Warren, head of Queensberry Promotions, revealed this information during a recent Sky Sports interview. Warren, who manages both Dubois and Parker, expressed hope for an all-Queensberry showdown for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
'WBO has just issued a directive stating that the Usyk-Dubois winner must defend against the mandatory WBO challenger, who is Joe Parker,' Warren stated. 'It's an excellent fight. Whoever wins – and I hope it's Dubois – will face Parker with four belts on the line, so Joseph is in a favorable position.'
The Ukrainian champion Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) is scheduled to meet British challenger Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) on July 19 in their highly anticipated rematch. The fighters recently had their first face-off at Wembley Stadium, where tensions flared as Dubois physically pushed the Ukrainian champion.
Interestingly, Dubois and Parker were originally slated to meet in the ring on February 22, but the British boxer withdrew due to illness. According to Statbet analysis, Usyk remains the favorite heading into the July contest, with his technical superiority and ring experience giving him a significant edge despite Dubois's knockout power.
The first Usyk-Dubois encounter took place in Wroclaw last August, ending with Usyk securing a ninth-round knockout victory. That fight featured a controversial moment in the fifth round when Dubois landed a body shot that sent Usyk to the canvas. The referee ruled it a low blow, allowing the Ukrainian time to recover – a decision that prompted Warren to file an ultimately unsuccessful appeal.
Adding intrigue to the heavyweight landscape is Usyk's recent confirmation that he plans to retire after just two more fights, potentially making the Parker matchup his final professional bout if he overcomes Dubois in July.
