Undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has a standing order to defend his crown next against interim WBO titleholder Joseph Parker, and promoter Frank Warren has told Sky Sports that Usyk has officially requested an extension.
Whether or not Usyk (24-0, 15 KO) receives that extension remains to be seen, but Warren has laid out a scenario that’s been bouncing around a lot of heads lately, wherein Usyk would be forced to vacate, and the winner of Saturday’s fight between Moses Itauma and Dillian
Whyte would then be right in line to face Parker, who would be elevated from interim to full titleholder status.
“(Usyk) has put a letter in yesterday, I found out today, stating that he’s asking for an extension period because he’s injured, before being ordered to do anything,” Warren told Sky Sports. “But whatever happens, the fact of life is that Joe Parker will either fight as champion, if Usyk vacates the title, or he will fight Usyk for the title.
“It’s exciting times. If Moses were to win, or if Dillian wins, whoever wins that fight, they’re in the No. 1 spot, and if the fight doesn’t happen with Usyk and Joe, then Joe will have to fight the official No. 1 contender.”
Parker (36-3, 24 KO) held the WBO belt from 2016-18, but has really been on the strongest run of his career of late, maturing into peak form in his early 30s with wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole.
Parker, 33, has made quite clear that he really would prefer to challenge Usyk, which would be the biggest money fight for him and also a chance to truly achieve some proper glory, and with more than just a WBO title at stake.
Usyk, 38, has proven willing to vacate belts before. He gave up the IBF piece of his first undisputed heavyweight crown in 2024, as he was bound to a rematch with Tyson Fury and could not face Daniel Dubois, as had been ordered. He re-unified the division by knocking Dubois out last month, but it could come undone just as quickly this time around.
