After an impressive victory over Daniel Dubois and retaining his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk has now received the official order for his next fight – but this may not please Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh at all.
With a brutal fifth-round knockout of Briton Dubois, Usyk not only defended his titles, but became the first male boxer in history to be declared undisputed champion in three different categories (twice at heavyweight and once at cruiserweight in 2018).
🔔 WBO officially orders Usyk vs Joseph Parker fight
Boxing fans were still waiting for confirmation of Usyk's next opponent – with names like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua being mentioned – but the WBO (World Boxing Organization) decided to take control.
In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), the WBO stated:
"The WBO has officially ordered negotiations for a mandatory heavyweight title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker. Both parties have 30 days to reach an agreement, otherwise it will go to a public auction (purse bid)."
🤝 An interesting matchup but not what Saudi Arabia wanted
The fight between Usyk and Joseph Parker (a former world champion and one of the most respected boxers in the division) would be the first between them and promises to be a spectacle. But this fight is not in the plans of Turki Alalshikh, the main man behind the big boxing events in Saudi Arabia, including the Riyadh Season.
🌟 Turki Alalshikh wants Usyk vs Moses Itauma
In a post made a few days ago, Turki openly expressed his desire for a showdown between Usyk and young British talent, Moses Itauma, who has a clean record of 12-0 and won by TKO over Mike Balogun in his last fight.
"I want to see Usyk vs. Itauma. This is the fight that needs to happen," Alalshikh wrote.
Itauma is one of the rising stars of heavyweight and was named 'Prospect of the Year 2024' by The Ring magazine.
❗ Reactions after the WBO announcement
Following the release of the WBO decision, reports from The Ring indicate that Turki Alalshikh and the organizers of the Riyadh Season are not interested in an Usyk vs Parker bout, raising questions about the location and realization of the fight.
🥊 What is expected to happen?
Usyk vs Parker remains the official WBO order – if there is no agreement within 30 days, an auction will be held.
Saudi Arabia's commercial interests could complicate the organization of the fight if it doesn't go according to their plans.
The pressure to see Usyk face a bigger name or a talent like Itauma could increase tensions in the background.
🔜 Will the WBO stand by its stance? Or will we have another powerful intervention from the Arab world that changes the course of world boxing? All eyes are now on Usyk, Parker… and Turki Alalshikh. /GazetaExpress/
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