The heavyweight boxing division is once again making headlines as the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has officially ordered its reigning champion, Oleksandr Usyk, to defend his title against the current interim WBO titleholder, Joseph Parker. This announcement puts an end—at least for now—to any speculation about a potential rematch between Usyk and Daniel Dubois, who was hoping for another shot at the Ukrainian champion.

The WBO has given both Usyk and Parker’s teams 30 days to negotiate the fight. If no agreement is reached within this timeframe, the fight will proceed to a purse bid, meaning promoters will have the opportunity to place bids to host and organize the event.

But what does this mean for Daniel Dubois? Does he still have a chance to get his rematch? And how will this decision impact the rest of the heavyweight division? Let’s break it down.

Usyk vs. Parker: How We Got Here

Usyk’s Path to Undisputed Glory

Oleksandr Usyk is currently regarded as one of the most skilled heavyweight boxers in the world. The former undisputed cruiserweight champion moved up to the heavyweight division and quickly made a name for himself. In 2021, he shocked the world by defeating Anthony Joshua to claim the WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles.

After successfully defending his belts in a rematch against Joshua in 2022, Usyk continued his dominant run in the division. In August 2023, he faced Daniel Dubois in a highly controversial fight, where Dubois landed a questionable body shot that some believed should have been ruled a knockout blow. However, Usyk recovered and eventually stopped Dubois in the ninth round.

Joseph Parker’s Road to a Second Title Shot

Joseph Parker, a former WBO heavyweight champion, has been on a mission to reclaim his place at the top of the division. He first won the WBO title in 2016 and successfully defended it until he lost to Anthony Joshua in 2018. Since then, Parker has been rebuilding his career, taking on tough opponents and working his way back into title contention.

In March 2024, Parker earned the WBO interim title by defeating Zhilei Zhang in a thrilling battle. He later defended the belt against Martin Bakole, proving that he is still a dangerous contender in the heavyweight division.

With the WBO now officially ordering the Usyk vs. Parker fight, Parker is closer than ever to reclaiming the world title.

What About Daniel Dubois? Does He Have a Shot?

Dubois’ Rise and Controversial Loss to Usyk

Daniel Dubois has been one of the most exciting heavyweight prospects in recent years. Known for his knockout power, Dubois has been a rising star in the division. However, his controversial loss to Usyk in 2023 left a bitter taste in the mouths of many boxing fans.

During that fight, Dubois landed a body shot that dropped Usyk, but the referee ruled it a low blow. Many fans and experts disagreed with the decision, arguing that the punch was legal and that Dubois should have been crowned the new heavyweight champion.

Despite this setback, Dubois bounced back and later won the IBF heavyweight title, solidifying his place among the top heavyweights in the world.

Dubois’ Fight Cancellation and Its Impact

Recently, Dubois was supposed to defend his IBF title against Joseph Parker, but he pulled out of the fight due to medical concerns. This decision sparked controversy, with some questioning whether his injury was legitimate. Dubois’ trainer, Don Charles, defended his fighter, insisting that the medical withdrawal was necessary and that Dubois would return stronger.

Now that Parker is set to face Usyk instead, Dubois finds himself in a difficult position. He will need to focus on defending his IBF title while waiting for another opportunity to challenge Usyk in the future.

The Heavyweight Division: What Comes Next?

Usyk’s Road to Undisputed Status

Oleksandr Usyk has long expressed his desire to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, meaning he wants to hold all four major belts (WBO, WBA, IBF, and WBC). The missing piece of the puzzle is the WBC title, which is currently held by Tyson Fury.

If Usyk successfully defeats Parker, he will likely push for a long-awaited fight against Fury to unify the heavyweight division. However, with the unpredictable nature of boxing politics, this fight is far from guaranteed.

Joseph Parker’s Chance for Redemption

For Joseph Parker, this fight against Usyk represents a second chance at heavyweight glory. He has already held the WBO title before, but this time, he faces a much tougher opponent in Usyk. If Parker manages to pull off the upset, he will reclaim the WBO belt and put himself in line for even bigger fights.

Dubois Must Defend His IBF Title

With Usyk now focused on Parker, Dubois must shift his attention to defending his IBF title. The IBF has strict rules when it comes to mandatory defenses, so Dubois will likely have to face a top-ranked challenger soon.

Possible opponents for Dubois include:

Filip Hrgović, the current IBF mandatory challenger
Jared Anderson, a rising American prospect
Frank Sánchez, an undefeated Cuban heavyweight

If Dubois can successfully defend his title, he may earn another shot at Usyk down the line.

Breaking Down the Fight: Usyk vs. Parker

If the Usyk vs. Parker fight happens, how does each fighter match up?

Usyk’s Strengths:

✅ Superior Footwork: Usyk moves like a much smaller fighter, making him hard to hit.
✅ Technical Skill: His background as an Olympic gold medalist gives him an edge in technique.
✅ High Fight IQ: Usyk is known for his ability to adjust mid-fight and outthink his opponents.

Parker’s Strengths:

✅ Powerful Combinations: Parker is a skilled combination puncher with a strong offensive arsenal.
✅ Durability: He has shown an ability to take punches from some of the best heavyweights in the world.
✅ Experience at the Highest Level: Parker has already fought top-tier opponents like Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, and Andy Ruiz.

Prediction:

While Parker is a tough opponent, Usyk’s movement, skill, and fight IQ give him a significant advantage. If Parker cannot hurt Usyk early, the fight will likely be a unanimous decision win for Usyk.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for the Heavyweight Division

The WBO’s decision to order Usyk vs. Parker has reshaped the immediate future of the heavyweight division. While Usyk and Parker will now prepare for their battle, Daniel Dubois is left waiting for his next move.

The key questions moving forward:

Can Usyk successfully defend his title and move toward undisputed status?
Will Parker pull off an upset and reclaim his championship glory?
Can Dubois regain his momentum and get another shot at Usyk?

No matter how things unfold, one thing is certain: the heavyweight division is heating up, and the best is yet to come!