Oleksandr Usyk could be stripped of world title within weeks of Daniel Dubois KO
Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered to defend his WBO heavyweight title against Joseph Parker - or risks losing the coveted strap.
The Ukrainian became an undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time after he brutally knocked out Daniel Dubois in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium last weekend. Usyk controlled the fight from start to finish. While 'Triple D' had moments in the showdown, the 'Cat' quickly wrapped up proceedings in the fifth.
Usyk sent the Brit crashing to the canvas with a stinging right hand. Much to the surprise of many, Dubois beat the count, but was knocked out seconds later as the Ukrainian detonated a pinpoint left hand. After scoring his second win over the Brit, Usyk has been sent a rather stern warning by the WBO.
The governing body has ordered the two-division undisputed champion to defend the aforementioned belt against Parker. In a letter sent to the pair, the WBO wrote: "Gentlemen: Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations between the subject matter fighters to discharge the mandatory title defence obligation.
"By virtue of this order, the parties have thirty (30) days upon issuance of this letter to reach terms. Failure to do so will result in this committee ordering purse bid proceedings in accordance with WBO regulations of World Championship Contests. The minimum bid in the Heavyweight division is one-million dollars ($1,000,000.00). Any of the parties herein may request purse bid proceedings at any time during negotiation stages.
"Lastly, the WBO reserves its right to issue any and all further rulings deemed necessary, helpful and convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies, and intent of the WBO rules, including but not limited to serving those interests that best serve boxing, and the WBO Heavyweight Division. Do not hesitate to contact the WBO headquarters if you have any questions or concerns." If Usyk opts not to face Parker, he will have to relinquish his WBO belt - or be stripped of it.
Immediately after Saturday night's showdown, boxing promoter Frank Warren revealed he would like to see Usyk face Parker next, but also confirmed Tyson Fury has asked for a third fight against the Ukrainian. Asked what fight he would like to see next for Usyk, Warren told his post-fight news conference: "His [Usyk's] first defence of his title is the WBO belt and that will be against Joe Parker. So that again would be a great fight.
"I mean I would like to see the Joe Parker fight. Joe deserves it. He's on a run himself, same as Daniel was on, and that's the fight that's been ordered. So one way or another it will happen, or Joe will fight for the vacant title. Tyson has made it very clear to me; he'd love that [Usyk] fight, he would love to do that fight and it'd be a big fight."
Kiwi Parker is on a stunning run of form that has seen him beat Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole. Parker's trainer, Andy Lee, recently revealed that Parker is capable of pulling off the upset if he gets a crack at the Ukrainian and has even stated what he has been working on with him in the gym to prepare him for Usyk.
'What we work on in the gym is being ready at all times and body language in the ring, and keeping your feet in a position where you're always ready to punch,' Lee said on the Ariel x Ade Show. 'If you are resting and you are taking a break, you don't show it. You look as if you are ready to attack and you're ready to punch. That's basically what we do and that's what Usyk does.
'Usyk feeds off his opponent's breaks. When they look to take that little switch, he'll attack them. He can pressure, pressure, pressure, feint with his magic wand right hand and he just burns them up. They are mentally exhausted as much as physically. And then when he wants to rest, he can move and dip and dive under the big guys' punches.'
When is Oleksandr Usyk's next fight?
It seems as if Usyk will take the rest of the year off to recover and spend time with his family before he contemplates a return to the ring. Speaking about his age after the Dubois showdown, Usyk said: "38 is a young guy, remember! 38 is only the start!
"I want to say thank you to Jesus Christ. I want to say thank you to my team and Wembley, thank you so much! It's for the people. Nothing is next. It's enough, next, I don't know. I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now. Two or three months, I want to just rest." He added: 'Maybe it's Tyson Fury,' Usyk added. 'Maybe we have three choices, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot now say because I want to go back home."
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