Latest news with #Usyk
News18
2 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Usyk V. Parker Soon? 30 Days To Find Out…
Written By : Last Updated: The WBO mandates Oleksandr Usyk to defend his heavyweight titles against Joseph Parker. Usyk beat Daniel Dubois, and Parker is on a six-fight winning streak. Boxing's heavyweight division just received its marching orders as the World Boxing Organization (WBO) officially mandated that undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk must defend his titles against New Zealand's Joseph Parker. This isn't just another title defense: it's the fight boxing purists have been craving. The directive comes hot on the heels of Usyk's spectacular fifth-round demolition of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on July 19. The 38-year-old Ukrainian southpaw knocked down the British challenger twice in the fifth round, cementing his status as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion with a vicious left hook he aptly named 'Ivan." But before Usyk can even think about retirement or trilogy fights with Tyson Fury, Parker stands firmly at the front of the queue. The Mandatory Maze The WBO has given both camps 30 days to negotiate terms, or face purse bid proceedings with a minimum bid of $1 million. This isn't merely bureaucratic formality—Parker has been the interim WBO heavyweight champion since defeating Zhilei Zhang in March 2024. The New Zealander has his turn while watching Usyk dismantle the division's elite. Parker's Resurrection Story What makes this matchup compelling isn't just Parker's mandatory status, it's his remarkable career renaissance. After suffering a devastating knockout loss to Joe Joyce in September 2022, many wrote off the former WBO champion. Instead, Parker embarked on a six-fight winning streak that reads like a heavyweight who's found his second wind. His victories over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole have repositioned him as the division's most in-form contender behind Usyk. At 36-3 with 24 knockouts, Parker brings legitimate credentials and, crucially, represents the only top-tier heavyweight Usyk hasn't faced. Styles Make Fights This potential clash promises tactical intrigue. Parker has evolved from the cautious boxer-mover of his first championship reign into a more aggressive, ring-generalship fighter under Andy Lee's guidance. His recent performances suggest a fighter who's learned to blend his natural boxing ability with increased aggression: a combination that could trouble Usyk's rhythm. Usyk's technical mastery remains unquestioned. His 24-0 record includes dominant victories over every elite heavyweight of his era. Yet Parker represents a stylistic puzzle: mobile enough to avoid prolonged punishment, durable enough to survive Usyk's combinations, and experienced enough not to wilt under championship pressure. The Bigger Picture While Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh reportedly favors other matchups, particularly against rising star Moses Itauma, the WBO's mandate strips away promotional politics. This fight represents boxing at its purest: the best facing the next best, regardless of commercial considerations. Usyk has hinted at having perhaps one more fight after any Parker encounter, making this potentially the penultimate chapter in one of boxing's greatest heavyweight careers. For Parker, it's validation of his rebuild and a chance to achieve what Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois couldn't—solving the Ukrainian puzzle. The countdown has begun, and for once, the heavyweight division's future feels refreshingly straightforward. First Published: July 25, 2025, 11:15 IST News sports Usyk V. Parker Soon? 30 Days To Find Out… Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The 42
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Usyk ordered to face Parker in heavyweight defence
OLEKSANDR USYK has been ordered by the WBO to face New Zealander Joseph Parker in a mandatory heavyweight title defence. The Ukrainian was crowned undisputed world heavyweight champion on Saturday after beating Daniel Dubois in a fifth-round stoppage at Wembley Stadium. Advertisement The victory, sealed when he left the Briton on the canvas with a left-handed punch, secured a 24th professional win for the undefeated 38-year-old, who won back his IBF belt and added it to WBA, WBC and WBO titles. After becoming undisputed world heavyweight champion for a second time, Usyk mentioned Parker as a possible future opponent. On Thursday, a letter from the WBO ordered negotiations to take place between Usyk and Parker for a mandatory heavyweight title bout. Both fighters have 30 days to reach terms; otherwise, purse bid proceedings will be ordered. Parker defended his WBO interim title in Riyadh in February with a second-round stoppage against Martin Bakole, a late replacement for Dubois, who withdrew due to illness. The New Zealand fighter had previously held the WBO title from 2016 to 2018 and is on a six-fight winning streak since losing to Joe Joyce in 2022. – © AFP 2025
Miami Herald
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Oleksandr Usyk knocks out Daniel Dubois for second time
Oleksandr Usyk delivered a dominating performance Saturday night and knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round in London to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Usyk knocked down Dubois twice in the fifth round to win the IBF belt. The second knockdown came after a vicious left hook and the referee counted Dubois out. Usyk, 38, already owns the WBC, WBA, WBO championship belts. The Ukrainian improved to 24-0 with 15 knockouts. "Thirty-eight is a young guy, 38 is only the start," Usyk said afterward. Usyk landed 37.3 percent of his punches while Dubois connected at just 19.6 percent. "I gave everything I had," said Dubois of London. "I take no credit away from the man. But I'll be back." This marks the second time Usyk has defeated Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs). He won with a ninth-round knockout in August 2023. Approximately 90,000 attended the fight at Wembley Stadium. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Boxing: WBO orders negotiations for fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker
Joseph Parker. Photo: PHOTOSPORT The WBO has ordered negotiations for a bout between its interim heavyweight champion, New Zealander Joseph Parker and the unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. The ruling body said both parties have 30 days to agree terms for a mandatory defence of Usyk's title, and if they fail to do so the WBO will open a purse bid. "The minimum bid in the Heavyweight division is US$1 million... any of the parties herein may request purse bid proceedings at any time during negotiation stages," the WBO said in a statement. Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk exchange punches during their IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO World Heavyweight titles' fight. Photo:Usyk has held the WBO belt since 2021 when he won it from Anthony Joshua along with the WBA and IBF titles, and has defended it four times, also taking the WBC belt from Tyson Fury to become the unified champion. The undefeated Ukrainian vacated the IBF belt last year after opting not to face the sanctioning body's interim champion Daniel Dubois in favour of a rematch with Fury, which he won by unanimous decision in December. Usyk, 38, knocked out Dubois last weekend to regain the IBF belt and undisputed status. New Zealand's Parker won the interim WBO championship last year in a majority decision over Zhilei Zhang. He defended it in February, knocking out Martin Bakole. - Reuters
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Joseph Parker: WBO orders undisputed champion to defend title against interim titleist
Joseph Parker may get another shot at a world heavyweight title. The WBO, on Thursday morning, officially ordered the undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to defend his title against the interim champion Joseph Parker next. The respective parties have 30 days to reach an agreement, or the WBO will proceed to an open purse bid. Usyk is not aligned with a major promoter at this time, while Parker is represented by Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions. Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) is just five days removed from his sensational KO victory over Daniel Dubois to unify the four titles. The Ukrainian, who also previously held the undisputed cruiserweight championship, owns a pair of wins over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. The first Joshua victory saw Usyk capture three heavyweight belts in 2021, while the initial Fury triumph in 2024 made him the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years, since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) previously held the WBO heavyweight strap from 2016-18. The New Zealander, who is widely considered the best available challenger for Usyk, is on a six-fight unbeaten run that includes upsets over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. Most recently, Parker stopped late-replacement Martin Bakole in just two rounds in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Crocker vs. Donovan 2 for IBF welterweight title Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing formally announced the anticipated all-Irish rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan for the vacant IBF welterweight title on Sept. 13 at the Windsor Park stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The pair were ordered to rematch by the IBF after the contentious ending to their first bout in March, which was an IBF final eliminator. Donovan was controversially disqualified for flooring Crocker with a right hook after the bell sounded to signal the end of Round 8. The Limerick man, who was well on his way to victory when he was disqualified by referee Marcus McDonnell, blamed the raucous atmosphere from the sold-out SSE Arena for his failure to hear the bell. Donovan had, however, been deducted two points earlier in the bout for use of the head — the second of which was just 45 seconds before the punch after the bell. When Jaron "Boots" Ennis announced his move to super welterweight, it opened the door for Belfast's Crocker and Donovan to square off for the vacant IBF championship. And when they do so, it will be the first time in history that two Irish boxers have contested a world title fight.
