Alexander Usik with the WBO world champion belt, which he risks losing because of the scandal // Photo: wboboxing.com
One of the four key boxing associations in the world – WBO (World Boxing Organization) – after the fight between Oleksandr Usik and Daniel Dubois, which resulted in the Ukrainian athlete becoming the absolute world champion in the heavyweight division for the third time, announced the need for a title defense fight. The victorious fight in London (UK) was held on July 19, and the WBO obliged the champion and his team within 30 days to negotiate with New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker, called the “interim WBO heavyweight champion of the world”.
When the deadline set by the WBO began to approach, Usik sent a request to the organization for a postponement due to the need to recover from a back injury. Refusing to fight Parker effectively means giving up the WBO world title and handing it over to an “interim champion”.
The situation worsened after videos from a private party organized by Oleksandr Usik were made public. One of them clearly shows the champion, who cited health problems, dancing, while the other shows him playing soccer. The WBO promptly reacted to the incident, demanding from the Ukrainian boxer to provide a detailed report on the current state of health and forecasts on the timing of his return to the ring.
Joseph Parker’s team expressed indignation over the incident and stated that “the presence of a credible serious injury would not allow Usik to commit such actions”. They also demanded a speedy conclusion of the proceedings, justifying the fact that the New Zealand boxer intends to hold a title fight before the end of this year.
According to the authoritative publication “The Ring” (USA), while waiting for the decision on the fight with Usik, negotiations to agree on the terms of Parker’s fight against the British Fabio Wardley, referred to as “interim WBA champion”, are at the final stage. The fight is expected to take place on October 25 in London.
In this fight Parker plans to defend the status of the so-called “interim world champion in the heavyweight version of the WBO”, which he received after the fight with Chinese Zhang Zhilay in March 2024, and in February this year confirmed, knocking out Martin Bakole of DR Congo. In turn, Wardley in June this year received the status of “provisional WBA champion” by knocking out Australian boxer Justice Huni.
It is not ruled out that Joseph Parker will not have to enter the ring at all, and the title of world champion in the heavyweight version of the WBO will go to him automatically. This will happen if the team of Alexander Usik will not be able to convince the organization in the groundlessness of the accusations against their ward. And then the Ukrainian will write his name in the history of boxing not only as an outstanding athlete, but also as the first world champion who lost his title because of his passion for dancing and soccer!
As reported by Logos Press, at the end of last week, the 38-year-old undefeated absolute world champion in the heavyweight division, the first holder of all titles in the “era of four belts”, Alexander Usik, visited Chisinau. The famous sportsman thanked the host for the hospitality and expressed hope that more and more Moldovan boxers will win medals at international tournaments.
