WBO Orders Usyk vs Parker — But Will It Actually Happen?

San Juan, Puerto Rico - Fresh off his repeat demolition of Daniel Dubois and standing atop the sport as undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk now faces an entirely different kind of opponent — boxing politics.

This week, the WBO formally ordered Usyk to defend his title against interim champion Joseph Parker, giving both camps 30 days to reach a deal or face a purse bid. In boxing terms, this is mandatory business as usual. But behind the scenes, a quiet tug-of-war may be setting the stage for Usyk to walk away from undisputed status — by choice.

Mandatory, But Not a Moneymaker?

Parker earned his interim title the hard way, scoring dominant wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in back-to-back fights. He’s looked revitalized under Andy Lee and the Queensberry Promotions banner, and most observers agree he’s now in the form of his life.

So what’s the problem?

According to reports, Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh’s team (the financial engine behind the recent heavyweight boom) have no interest in staging or financing Usyk vs. Parker. And without Saudi money, the scale of the fight — and the purses — shrink dramatically.

Usyk’s Dilemma

Usyk is a man of principle, but he’s also at the tail end of an already completed legacy. He’s 38 years old. He’s a two-time undisputed champion in two weight classes. He’s defeated Anthony Joshua twice. He’s beaten Tyson Fury twice. He’s dismantled Daniel Dubois twice as well. There is nothing left to prove — unless he chooses to.

And now he has a decision to make:

• Defend against Parker without Saudi backing, likely for a reduced purse under the standard Queensberry + DAZN banner
• Vacate the WBO title, and either take a break, retire, or pursue one last mega-fight: a trilogy bout with Tyson Fury

The Money vs the Mandate

Let’s be clear: Parker deserves the shot. He’s fought his way back into the top of the division with consistency, power, and poise. But when it comes to funding — especially in the current landscape — “deserve” doesn’t always equal “deliver.”

Riyadh Season is reportedly uninterested in backing Usyk vs. Parker, viewing it as a bout that may not justify the investment without a strong pay-per-view backbone. And while DAZN remains open to PPV events, they won’t be doing so under the “Ring of Fire” format beyond the end of this year.

Could Usyk Vacate?

That’s increasingly likely.

If the Parker fight doesn’t make financial sense, Usyk could simply vacate the WBO belt, allow Parker to be elevated to full champion status, and walk away with legacy intact.

That would make Parker a two-time WBO heavyweight champion, having previously won the vacant title against Andy Ruiz in 2016. It would also preserve Usyk’s health, leverage, and schedule — and allow him to either retire gracefully or pursue the one option that does interest the Saudis: a third fight with Tyson Fury.

The Fury Trilogy Angle

Despite back-to-back losses to Usyk, Tyson Fury is pushing hard for a trilogy fight, and the Saudis are interested. The storyline is still marketable. The numbers would be massive. And for Usyk, it’s the one fight that still commands generational wealth.

Would it be earned? No. But in boxing, the economics often beat the ethics.

If Usyk chooses to take one last payday — even if it means giving Fury an unearned shot — the Saudis will likely greenlight it. Parker, unfortunately, would be left out of the big-money mix once again.

What’s Next?

With the WBO clock ticking, the path forward is narrow:

• A deal must be reached within 30 days or the fight goes to purse bids.
• If the Saudis stay out, Frank Warren and DAZN will need to decide if they’re willing to carry the event themselves.
• If not? Usyk likely vacates, and Parker becomes champion — possibly without ever getting his shot in the ring.

Final Take

Usyk’s legacy is secure. He doesn’t need another belt defense to validate what he’s done. But fans, purists, and Parker supporters are right to feel frustrated.

This is the strange reality of boxing in 2025:

• Merit matters — but money talks louder.
• Mandatories can be skipped — if the price is right.
• And even undisputed champions may walk away — not because they’re ducking, but because the business says “not worth it.”

Usyk has completed the game. What happens next? That’s up to him. And as always in boxing, what’s fair isn’t always what’s funded.