Usyk Asks For Negotiations Against Joseph Parker Extended

Oleksandr Usyk admitted that he was injured and asked for an extended battle negotiations against Joseph Parker (Instagram/@usykaa).

JAKARTA The undisputed world champion twice, Oleksandr Usyk, requested that the deadline for negotiations for the mandatory fight against Joseph Parker be extended.

Queensbury promoter Frank Warren said the Ukrainian fighter had sent a letter and informed him he was currently injured, so it took time to duel again.

"Whatever happens, the fact is that Joseph Parker will fight as world champion if Usyk vacates the WBO belt or he will fight Usyk for the title," Warren said.

Usyk has received orders from WBO to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Parker, after defeating Daniel Dubois last month.

The victory over Dubois left the 38-year-old fighter the undisputed heavyweight world champion for the second and third time in his career, including in the cruiser division.

After that, he was given 30 days by WBO, starting July 24, 2025. However, the option is that Usyk could vacate the WBO and Parker belts automatically become WBO world champions.

As an alternative, Parker can face the winner between Moses Ituma and Dillian Whyte. Both names are scheduled to board the ring at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

"If Moses or Dillian win, one of them will be in first place. If Usyk's fight against Parker doesn't happen then Joseph Parker will have to fight the official number one challenger," Warren said.

Usyk before fighting Dubois said he would only have two more fights in his professional career before retiring. Parker is also likely his last opponent.

Another fight is likely a potential trilogy against Tyson Fury in 2026. Fury insists he wants to get out of retirement if Usyk wants them to get into the ring together for the third time.