Joseph Parker's heavyweight world title path revealed by Frank Warren

Joseph Parker is set to take on the winner of Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois 2 later this year for all of the heavyweight marbles, Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has revealed.

The current WBO interim world champion was declared the mandatory challenger for Usyk's full title after being Martin Bakole earlier this year, but his hopes of a crack at a second world title were dashed after the undisputed showdown between the Ukrainian and Daniel Dubois was confirmed this week.

The New Zealander was scheduled to face Dubois for his IBF belt in February, before the British star pulled out of the clash just 48 hours away from fight night after falling ill.

Bakole stepped in to face Parker at remarkably late notice on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol 2, with the New Zealander going on to maintain his recent resurgence with a destructive knockout victory over the dangerous Conoglese fighter.

He had hoped victory over one of the most avoided heavyweights on the planet would tee-up a mouth-watering affair with Usyk, and even posted a quirky call-out video in a bid to help seal a deal.

However, with Usyk being granted license to agree an undisputed clash with Dubois as opposed to taking on his mandatory, it seemingly left Parker in the lurch - although it transpires he is now in an even better position.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Warren revealed that his fighter is in-line to face the winner of the July showdown, meaning the former WBO heavyweight title-holder will have the opportunity to become New Zealand's first ever four-belt ruler.

With Joe Parker, the WBO just put a mandate out saying that the winner of this fight (Usyk v Dubois) has to defend against the WBO mandatory challenger, which is Joe!

"People might be saying, ‘Oh, Joe must be peed off he’s not fighting Daniel.’ Well, he’ll be fighting for four belts now.

"Whoever wins it, which I hope is going to be our man (Dubois), they’ll be challenging for four belts, so he’s (Parker) in a better place."

Usyk and Dubois will reacquaint themselves in the ring for a second time on Saturday 19th July, 2025, after the first showdown, in 2023, ended in controversial fashion.

The Ukrainian reigned supreme courtesy of an impressive ninth round stoppage, but that came after Dubois had seemingly dropped Usyk with a heavy body shot, only for the referee to deem it an illegal low-blow.

Usyk subsequently went on to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era by outpointing Tyson Fury last year, before backing that up with an equally as polished performance against the Gypsy King in December - prompting his retirement from the sport.

He will now face Dubois in a bid to become a two-time heavyweight undisputed champion, with Parker, who has seen off Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang over the past 18 months, seemingly waiting in the wings for the winner.

Mark Mothershaw

• Queensberry
• • 
  •