WBO orders Oleksandr Usyk to make mandatory title defence against Joseph Parker

Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered to face Joseph Parker by the WBO, throwing a major spanner in the works for the expected undisputed showdown between the Ukrainian star and Daniel Dubois.

The sanctioning body issued the demand for Usyk and Parker to enter negotiations and reach an agreement on Thursday morning, meaning both parties now have 30 days to agree a deal.

Usyk, who beat Tyson Fury for a second time in December, is currently in possession of the WBO, WBA and WBC straps, whilst Parker, who saw off Dubois' replacement Martin Bakole in devastating fashion last month, is the 'interim' WBO champion.

"Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations between [Usyk and Parker] to discharge the WBO mandatory championship obligation in the Heavyweight Division," the WBO order stated. 

"By virtue of this order, the WBO Interim Championship shall be terminated expeditiously in compliance with our institutional policy of only one world champion per weight class.

"The parties have 30 days to reach terms. Failure to do so will result in this committee ordering pursue bid proceedings in accordance with WBO regulations of World Championship contests."

Will Oleksandr Usyk fight Daniel Dubois?

The WBO order comes despite talks taking place between Usyk's and Dubois' camps, with the hope of staging a colossal undisputed heavyweight championship showdown in Saudi Arabia this summer.

Usyk, of course, captured all four blue-riband division titles in May last year, before opting to vacate the IBF belt after opting against a mandatory fight with number one ranked Filip Hrgovic - instead chasing the riches of a rematch with Fury, which he went on to win.

Dubois subsequently beat Hrgovic to become 'interim' IBF champion, before being upgraded to full champion before making an emphatic first defence of the strap against domestic rival, and two-time heavyweight ruler, Anthony Joshua last year.

The Briton was set to defend his title against Parker on Riyadh Season's 'Last Crescendo' bill in February, however, pulled out of the fight after falling ill just 48 hours ahead of the scheduled bout - with Bakole stepping in at late notice to tackle the rejuvenated New Zealander.

It was then expected that a rematch between Usyk and Dubois would take precedent over Parker, given the fact that the fight would be to fully unify the heavyweight division, but it appears as though the plug has been pulled on that contest, for now.

What happens if Oleksandr Usyk opts not to fight Joseph Parker?

Simply put, Oleksandr Usyk would have to relinquish his WBO title if a fight with Joseph Parker is unable to be agreed.

That would mean that Parker would be upgraded to full champion in the same way that Dubois was crowned IBF title-holder last year.

It's unlikely that the Ukrainian will refuse to take the fight however, as he seeks a money-spinning third undisputed bout at some point in 2025 - although, the pound-for-pound star has hinted that he only has two more fights left as a professional.

"I think two years, one and a half left in boxing," he said recently.

"I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare for, not more. Just two."