Usyk won't get leniency, says WBO president in official title statement
Photo: Usyk must make a mandatory defense (Getty Images)
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is not planning to make any exceptions for the undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian boxer has to make a mandatory title defense, according to the official website of the organization.
What the WBO president said
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri reminded Usyk of his obligation. In an official statement, he emphasized that Usyk must step into the ring against the interim champion, New Zealander Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs), following the organization's regulations.
"Please note that I am obligated to consistently enforce the regulatory framework governing the operations of the WBO. In this case, Usyk must fulfill his mandatory title defense against Joseph Parker. The WBO has officially informed all parties about the commencement of negotiations and has issued the appropriate order. If this does not happen, the WBO will initiate the purse bid procedure in accordance with our current rules.
Put simply, I am required to follow the rules regardless of who the boxer, promoter, manager, advisor, or intermediary is," said Olivieri.
At the end of July, the WBO officially ordered both Usyk's and Parker's teams to begin negotiations for organizing the fight. The standard 30-day period was granted for negotiations until August 23. If no agreement is reached by then, the WBO will call for a purse bid.
If Usyk refuses the fight, he will lose the WBO belt and the title of undisputed world champion.
Joseph Parker (photo: Getty Images)
Who else is in line to fight Usyk
As the holder of titles from all major boxing organizations, Usyk is required to defend his belts. Currently, there are five main contenders for a fight with the undisputed world champion under various sanctioning bodies.
WBC – Agit Kabayel (Germany), interim champion
WBA – Kubrat Pulev (Bulgaria), regular champion, and Fabio Wardley (United Kingdom), interim champion
WBO – Joseph Parker (New Zealand), interim champion
IBF – Dereck Chisora (United Kingdom), top-ranked contender
