If Canceled Against Usyk, Moses Ituma Becomes Joseph Parker's Option

JAKARTA - Young boxer Moses Ituma, 20 years old, will most likely be Joseph Parker's next opponent if Oleksandr Usyk refuses to undergo a mandatory fight for the WBO belt.

The fight against Ituma is now a big hope on Parker's side after so far there has been no direct discussion with Usyk's team.

Usyk from Ukraine previously reunited the four heavyweight world championship belts after defeating Daniel Dubois in a five-round duel at Wembley Stadium last month.

The 38-year-old fighter had to undergo a mandatory WBO versus Parker match if he wanted to maintain his status as world champion indisputable.

WBO has given him only 30 days since July 24, 2025 to negotiate with Parker. However, he could also choose to vacate the WBO belt.

Parker promoter David aired, saying that the running out of hopes against Usyk made them now open to fighting other names, including Ituma.

"I think Joseph Parker will fight Moses Ituma. It's just a matter of time," he said as reported by Sky Sport.

Ituma, which is scheduled to face Dillian Whyte this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is the heavyweight boxer with the second highest ranking currently in WBO rankings.

Badminton emphasized that apart from Ituma, they are also always ready to fight other fighters.

"Joseph Parker never doubts against anyone. Whether it's Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, or Martin Bakole, in the near future," he said.

Parker had previously expressed his desire to fight Usyk. He wants to test his abilities against one of the best fighters at the moment, who has never lost at a professional level.

"I'd love to have the opportunity to challenge myself against the best in the world," he said.

Usyk is the undisputed world champion twice in the heavyweights. He previously won that status for the first time in May 2024 after stopping Tyson Fury.

He then chose to vacate the IBF belt after the win and prioritized a rematch against Fury in December 2024. As a result he won again.