In a stunning and unequivocal statement that sent shockwaves through the boxing world, reigning heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has permanently ruled out any future bout with former WBO champion Joseph Parker, dismissing the New Zealander with a cold and cutting remark: “He is not worth my time.”
The Ukrainian superstar, known for his technical brilliance and icy composure in and out of the ring, made the declaration during a recent interview with Eastern European sports media, following months of speculation that a potential clash between the two fighters could materialize in late 2025. But according to Usyk, that possibility has been completely taken off the table.
“People keep asking me about Parker. Why? I have bigger goals. Bigger names. Bigger fights. He is not on my radar, and honestly, he is not worth my time,” Usyk said with a dismissive wave of the hand.
A Clear Message
Usyk’s words are a clear indication that he is not interested in anything that doesn’t elevate his legacy or challenge his dominance. After unifying the heavyweight division by defeating Anthony Joshua in back-to-back fights and most recently defending his titles in a masterclass performance against Tyson Fury, Usyk is eyeing elite opponents, and in his view, Parker simply doesn’t make the cut.
Parker’s Rise – But Not Enough?
Joseph Parker, to his credit, has been rebuilding his career with a string of solid victories. After suffering back-to-back defeats against Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce, the Kiwi fighter returned stronger in 2023 and 2024 with wins over Jack Massey, Faiga Opelu, and Zhilei Zhang — the latter being a surprising upset that temporarily placed him back in the heavyweight conversation.
However, it seems Usyk is not impressed.
“Look, I respect every fighter who steps into the ring. But Parker? He hasn’t beaten anyone in the top five. I’m chasing greatness. I’m not doing charity fights,” Usyk continued, emphasizing his pursuit of legacy over business.
Fans Divided
The boxing community has been divided by Usyk’s blunt rejection. Some fans praise his focus and refusal to waste energy on what he considers low-reward opponents, while others believe his comments were unnecessarily harsh and disrespectful toward a former world champion.
On social media, the reactions have been heated. “Usyk is dodging Parker,” one user tweeted, while another fired back, “Parker doesn’t deserve a shot. Usyk is speaking facts.”
Parker’s camp has yet to issue a formal response, but sources close to the fighter suggest he was “disappointed but unsurprised” by the Ukrainian’s stance.
What’s Next for Usyk?
With Parker out of the picture, all eyes are on who Usyk will face next. A rematch with Tyson Fury remains a tantalizing option, especially after the controversial split decision in their first bout. Other potential opponents include rising heavyweight contenders such as Filip Hrgović or a long-awaited clash with Deontay Wilder, should the American return to form.
Usyk, however, remains tight-lipped about his next steps. “We will see,” he said with a grin. “I am always ready. I don’t run. But I also don’t fight for fun. I fight for legacy.”
A Ruthless Champion
Usyk’s rejection of Parker may be harsh, but it underlines a broader message: this is a champion with laser focus. He’s not here to pad his record or entertain fantasy matchups. He’s here to etch his name into the history books.
And for now, Joseph Parker is simply not part of that story.
