Following his emphatic victory over Daniel Dubois, Ukrainian superstar Oleksandr Usyk secured all four major world titles in the heavyweight division — the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO belts. With this historic feat, Usyk officially became the undisputed heavyweight champion, a rare status in modern boxing.

However, the celebration may be short-lived.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has issued a clear directive: Usyk must defend his WBO title against interim champion Joseph Parker. If he refuses, the WBO will strip him of the belt, disrupting his status as the undisputed king.

Parker’s Claim to the WBO Mandatory Shot

Joseph Parker, a former WBO heavyweight world champion, has fought his way back into elite contention with impressive victories over top contenders. As the WBO’s officially recognized interim champion, Parker has earned the mandatory challenger position.

Under WBO rules, an interim champion has the right to face the full champion within a set timeframe — and that time is now.

Parker wasted no time confronting Usyk after the Dubois fight. In a now-viral locker room exchange, Parker congratulated Usyk and made his case:

Parker: “Congratulations. You looked good, man. You looked very good.”
Usyk: “Thank you.”
Parker: “Let’s have it. Me next.”
Usyk: “Bro, I don’t know. Give me time. I want to rest.”
Parker: “You want to rest? Have a rest. Have a holiday. See your family, your kids.”

While the interaction was filled with mutual respect, Parker made it clear he wants his shot, and the WBO is standing behind him.

WBO: Defend or Vacate

The WBO’s stance leaves Usyk with only two options:

Accept the mandatory defense against Parker.

Vacate the WBO title, effectively ending his undisputed reign.

This ultimatum puts Usyk in a difficult position. After years of unifying the belts and defeating the division’s best — including Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and now Dubois — he may lose his undisputed status without ever stepping in the ring again.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for Usyk, who has long championed the idea of fighting the best and earning titles, not just collecting them by default.

Can Usyk Handle One More War?

At 37, Usyk has endured a physically punishing run. From back-to-back wars with Joshua to his grueling 12-round chess match against Fury, and now a physically taxing battle with Dubois, the Ukrainian champion has taken more than his fair share of damage.

After the Dubois fight, Usyk made it clear he needed time to rest. His brief but honest response to Parker was not a deflection — it was a plea for recovery.

“Give me time. I want to rest.”

However, the WBO’s mandate might not afford him that luxury.

What Happens If Usyk Vacates the WBO Belt?

If Usyk chooses to vacate, Joseph Parker will likely be elevated to full WBO champion and face the next available contender for his first defense. That would create a fractured heavyweight title picture once again, ending the short-lived era of an undisputed champion.

Fans would be disappointed, but the governing body’s rules are strict. Unless a unification or medical exemption is granted, the belt must be defended.

And while a rematch between Usyk and Tyson Fury would be a box-office blockbuster, the WBO won’t wait.

Parker’s Redemption Arc Could Lead to Gold

Few boxers have rebounded like Joseph Parker.

After suffering tough defeats to Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce, many wrote him off as a fading contender. But the New Zealander has reinvented himself, fighting with renewed focus and intensity. Wins over top-ranked heavyweights like Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder have restored his status as a legitimate world title threat.

A clash between Parker and Usyk would be:

Fresh

Tactically fascinating

A true meeting of elite technicians

And most importantly, it would keep the undisputed picture alive, if Usyk agrees.

A Champion’s Dilemma: Rest or Risk?

Usyk is known for his warrior’s mentality and deep respect for the sport. He’s never ducked a challenge. But after years of chasing greatness, he’s now being asked to either defend again immediately or surrender one of his prized belts.

Does he accept the Parker fight and potentially enter another grueling training camp?
Or does he take a well-deserved rest and give up the WBO title — and with it, the right to call himself undisputed?

For fans, the hope is that Usyk finds a way to rest and still keep the fight alive — perhaps a late fall date that allows for recovery and buildup.

Final Thoughts: Boxing’s Unforgiving Schedule

The boxing world waits with bated breath. Will Usyk vs. Parker be made? Or will politics and physical toll force the champion to step aside?

No matter what decision Usyk makes, he’s already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of his generation. But if he chooses to defend once more — against Parker — it would be yet another chapter in one of boxing’s most incredible modern careers.

Because being undisputed isn’t just about holding the belts — it’s about defending them when it matters most.