The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has mandated negotiations between interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for a title bout. Both fighters have 30 days to agree on terms for the mandatory title defense; otherwise, the WBO will conduct a purse bid with a minimum bid of one million dollars. Usyk, who holds the WBO, WBA, and WBC belts, won the WBO title in 2021 from Anthony Joshua and has defended it four times. Parker won the interim WBO title last year, defeating Zhilei Zhang, and successfully defended it in February against Martin Bakole.

Usyk vacated the IBF title last year to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury. He recently regained the IBF belt with a knockout victory over Daniel Dubois.

Impact Statement: This ruling sets the stage for a significant heavyweight boxing match, with the outcome potentially reshaping the division's hierarchy.