Joseph Parker’s Team Slams Heavyweight Chaos Amid Usyk Silence

On July 19, at Wembley Stadium, Oleksandr Usyk dominated Daniel Dubois to become 2x undisputed heavyweight champion. Shortly after the fight, Frank Warren confirmed Joseph Parker would be next in line for his shot at Usyk, due to his position as the WBO manadatory challenger. David Higgins, Parker’s New Zealand-based promoter, has provided the latest update to Sky Sports, casting doubt over a potential Usyk-Parker undisputed showdown.

Team Joseph Parker Slams Heavyweight Chaos Amid Usyk Silence

Parker’s WBO Opportunity in Jeopardy

Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) has been on a fantastic run of form, winning his last six fights, including last time out against Martin Bakole.

Usyk has now been ordered to defend his WBO heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker. A deal must be agreed upon within 30 days of July 24, or the WBO will move forward with a purse bid. Despite this news, it appears the fight is far from close, with David Higgins revealing the latest update: “Last time I spoke to Frank Warren [who promotes Parker in the UK] there had been no engagement. That is what I was told, a couple of days ago,” Higgins told Sky Sports.

“It’s boxing, anything can happen. You don’t rule anything in or out really, but I think Usyk would have engaged by now in a discussion or a negotiation if he wanted to retain and defend his undisputed heavyweight world titles,” Higgins added.

Read More: Oleksandr Usyk vs Moses Itauma: Ex-Champ Reacts to Turki Alalshikh’s Wish

Should Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) be stripped of the WBO title or vacate, Parker will be confirmed as the new WBO champion, but that has not left Higgins pleased with the current state of the heavyweight division: “I’m hopeful that the merit-based system is respected and the man who has genuinely earned a shot at a world heavyweight title is allowed to have that title shot, because it has been earned the hard way, the old school way with consecutive victories over monumental opposition, over 12-13 years of a dedicated, professional career, beating everyone put in front of him.

“It’s a disgrace to the sport that you cannot earn a heavyweight world title shot on merit. All this ‘Mickey Mouse’ rubbish, talk of Joshua fighting Jake Paul. If Usyk doesn’t take the fight, Joshua should step up, back himself and fight Parker for the vacant title.”

Higgins Urges Usyk to Recognise Parker

It’s difficult to find a person in boxing who will say Parker doesn’t deserve his shot against Oleksandr Usyk. Higgins made it clear Parker wants his shot at the Ukrainian instead of being elevated: “Joseph would rather fight Usyk and lose than get given the belt,” said Higgins. “But you’ve got to take what comes in this sport.

Read More: Five Heavyweight Fighters to Watch in 2025

Higgins then appealed to Usyk for Parker to be granted his opportunity: “I guess we would appeal to Oleksandr Usyk because he is a merit worthy fighter, who also built his way up the hard way, winning Olympic Gold, working his way up the cruiserweight division, whitewashing every heavyweight.

“You would think that Usyk himself would recognise that Parker earned his shot at the title.”