Daniel Dubois is looking to become a young undisputed heavyweight champion.
The big-punching Brit failed in his first attempt at world honours when Oleksandr Usyk stopped him inside nine rounds back in 2023. He built back well, beating Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic to become IBF Interim Champion.
That status was elevated to Full Champion when Usyk vacated the belt in order to fulfil a rematch with Tyson Fury. Dubois silenced any doubters who claimed he didn’t deserve to be at the top table by knocking out Anthony Joshua in five rounds as his first title defence.
The champion’s next outing was set to be a voluntary defence against the in-form Joseph Parker, but Dubois pulled out ill just days before the first bell. Parker stopped late replacement Martin Bakole in quick time to retain his WBO Interim Title.
Though many fans felt Dubois should honour the fight against Parker, his team has made it absolutely clear that the focus is now an undisputed fight with Usyk. Those plans looked to be coming together, but the WBO has thrown a spanner in the works in the form of a mandatory order for Parker.
The sanctioning body has now given Usyk and Parker 30 days to agree terms before a purse bid takes place.
“Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations between [Usyk and Parker] to discharge the WBO mandatory championship obligation in the Heavyweight Division. By virtue of this order, the WBO Interim Championship shall be terminated expeditiously in compliance with our institutional policy of only one world champion per weight class.
“The parties have 30 days to reach terms. Failure to do so will result in this Committee ordering purse bid proceedings in accordance with WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.”
Former WBO Champion Parker is extremely deserving of his shot at a belt having beaten three of the division’s biggest punchers in Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Bakole in his most recent contests.
Whether or not the teams of Dubois and Usyk look to strike a deal with Parker to allow the undisputed contest to take precedence remains to be seen. If not, Dubois’ rematch with Joshua has just become more likely.
