Oleksandr Usyk was recently ordered to provide fresh medical evidence of a back injury after a social media clip of him dancing threw his initial claim into doubt.
The Ukrainian is currently undisputed for the second time at heavyweight following his stellar stoppage of Daniel Dubois. He had been served his first mandatory challenger by the WBO in Interim Champion Joseph Parker.
Usyk was initially granted an extension to negotiations due to his injury, but Parker’s team was made aware of the video and forced the WBO to act.
Following deliberation of cases made by both sides, the sanctioning body has now granted another extension to the four-belt champion, allowing Parker to fight this year before negotiations will begin.
“Team Usyk’s petition for a 90-day extension is granted on medical grounds. The 90-day extension shall have a retroactive effect from the date of submission, August 9, 2025. Mr. Joseph Parker, Interim Heavyweight Champion, is authorized to defend his interim title against a suitable opponent approved by this Committee, during the extension period.
Mr. Oleksandr Usyk shall be mandated to face next the WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion; no intervening bouts will be allowed. Failure by Mr. Usyk to comply with this mandate shall trigger this Committee’s intervention to proceed accordingly. This Resolution is final, definitive, and enforceable.”
Parker vs Fabio Wardley was announced today, taking place on October 25 at London’s O2 Arena. It marks by far the biggest step up in Wardley’s career, who scored an incredible knockout over Justis Huni last time out after being clearly down on the scorecards. The Brit now has the chance of a lifetime to snatch the mandatory spot. Parker returns to the ring for the first time since a February KO win over late stand-in, Martin Bakole.
