On a July evening, Oleksandr Usyk seized the headlines again: he stopped Daniel Dubois inside the distance and, for the third time in his career, climbed to the summit by unifying the division’s major belts. Even then came the promise to have at least one more bout before saying goodbye to the ring. But behind the scenes the heavyweight’s main question arose at once: with whom, and when? There is still no answer — and that is exactly what annoys those waiting in line for a shot.
The Mandatory Defense Everyone Keeps Pushing Back
Back in July, the WBO named Joseph Parker the mandatory challenger and gave the teams the standard negotiating window. Usyk immediately requested an extension: earlier he had already been granted a "green light" to unify all the belts with Dubois — the sanctioning bodies obliged. In August, Parker’s camp said talks had hardly begun. The official reason for the delay was Oleksandr’s back issues following the summer bout.
'Back Hurts,' Yet the Video Shows Dancing
When a video surfaced online showing the undisputed champion moving energetically at a concert, the patience of the challenger’s camp wore thinner. Promoter David Higgins noted diplomatically that a serious injury usually doesn’t go with that kind of activity. Parker kept his public tone measured — saying he was ready to wait for Usyk to rest and return to the negotiating table. But the subtext is obvious: Joseph wants a fight now.
The WBO's Stance: Medicine First, Deadlines Later
After the viral clip, the WBO requested an expanded medical evaluation: diagnosis, prognosis, estimated recovery timeline, and supporting documentation. The organization warned plainly that delays without a satisfactory explanation would not be allowed and that regulatory measures would follow otherwise. Having reviewed the paperwork, the WBO ultimately granted a 90-day extension: in that window the champion must finalize a bout with the interim titleholder. The hard cutoff is December 25, 2025.
An Alternative Route for Parker: London and Wardley
To avoid putting the challenger’s career on ice, the WBO adjusted the bracket: on October 25 at London’s the O2 Arena, Joseph Parker will face the Briton Fabio Wardley. The winner becomes Usyk’s mandatory. That automatically pushes a potential Usyk vs. Parker/Wardley title fight to spring 2026 at the earliest — assuming bureaucracy and health don’t intervene again.
From Ring to Pitch: A Charity Match in Portugal
While promotional offices shuffled paper stacks, Usyk swapped gloves for boots: he played for a World Legends XI in a charity match against Portuguese stars. The hosts won 4–1 — Pedro Pauleta, Helder Postiga, Luis Figo and Pepe scored; the only reply for Usyk’s side came from Michael Owen, who later joked that he was happy to meet Usyk on a football pitch rather than in a ring. Oleksandr logged 17 minutes before the break and six more after, coming on for Henrik Larsson, and looked assured — no back pain was apparent from the stands.
What's Next: A Sporting, Not a Concert, Finale
The roadmap for the coming months is simple and strict: if the medicals give the "all clear," Team Usyk pins down a date and an opponent within the 90-day window. In parallel, Parker and Wardley play off for the mandatory slot. Then the dancing stops, the gongs sound again, and only one item remains on the agenda — defending all the belts against the man who truly earns his place not with words, but with a win in the ring.
