The team surrounding Oleksandr Usyk has defended the undisputed champion’s attempt to delay his next move.
As previously reported by BoxingScene, Ukraine’s Usyk, 24-0 (15 KOs), filed a request with the WBO for an extension on his ordered title consolidation clash with Joseph Parker. The two were ordered to begin negotiations just days after Usyk’s July 19 repeat knockout win over England’s Daniel Dubois, 22-3 (21 KOs), to once again fully unify the heavyweight divisional titles.
Talks have reportedly not gone very far at all, with New Zealand’s Parker – the WBO interim titlist – reduced to pushing for the fight through video while lip-synching iconic songs. The deadline neared before Usyk’s team asked for more time, citing lingering injuries and wear and tear from an active schedule over the past 15 or so months.
“The champion has earned the chance to let his body recover from the effects of a punishing training regime and from injuries that are often invisible to the outside world.” Serge Lapin, director of Usyk’s team and CEO of Ready to Fight, said in an official statement on behalf of the team. “And, ultimately, simply to rest and spend time with his family.
“Most importantly: he has earned the right to choose his own future – and to take the time he needs to make that decision. So, guys, don’t push the horses.”
Usyk, now 38, had fought just once per year from 2019 through 2023. That changed once he joined forces with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, which led to a pair of heavyweight championship showdowns with Tyson Fury. The fighters’ first meeting, in May 2024, saw Usyk prevail via split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight king of the 21st century.
The fight took place nine months after Usyk defeated Dubois via ninth-round knockout in their August 2023 meeting in Wroclaw, Poland. Usyk and Fury ran it back last December 21, his third fight in a 16-month span, in which he claimed a unanimous decision.
The rematch with Dubois marked Usyk’s fourth fight in 23 months, his most active stretch over that length of time since 2018 when he was the undisputed cruiserweight champion.
“Throughout his entire professional career, both Oleksandr Usyk and our whole team have proven that we respect all potential opponents as well as the rules that govern professional boxing,” insisted Lapin. “Over the past year and a half, Usyk has accomplished a historic achievement by becoming the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion twice.
“That demanded tremendous physical and mental effort, and great sacrifice.”
The WBO has yet to rule on Usyk’s request for an extension. BoxingScene has learned that the sanctioning body is willing to entertain a modest delay, though not the 90-day period sought by Usyk.
Parker became the mandatory challenger in waiting after his points win over Zhilei Zhang in March of last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ironically, the former WBO full titlist was due to face Dubois on February 22, only for the Brit to withdraw during fight week because of an unexpected illness. Parker went on to face Martin Bakole, whom he slaughtered inside of two rounds.
Regardless of the WBO’s ruling, Usyk will remain on the hook to next face Parker if he wishes to keep his undisputed reign intact.
