Joseph Parker

[jamieson2]

I thought about this last nite, and my thinking was: Why would the WBO say that JP was the mandatory against Usyk if the WBO was in favour of the unification? Why not just keep their mouth shut? Given what you're saying, the WBO just muddies the waters by saying that JP is now the mandatory. And, according to your statement, and the WBO's rules, unification trumps mandatory.
I don't think it's ultimately up to the Saudis. It's up to Usyk who he wants to fight, and possible consequences if he refuses to fight JP. And, I'm wondering if the Saudis might be a bit miffed with DDD for pulling out of the JP on two days notice? While JP says, "bring on the toughest opponent to keep the integrity of the "greatest boxing card ever." And, DDD could pull out against Usyk too. Remember, he's had this "virus" off and on for 8 years according to his trainer.

And now this, which I hoped would happen if Usyk doesn't agree to fight JP.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/03/14/an-au...itle-shot/

I can only give my speculations on some of your questions Die, as I am not privy to the inner discussions surrounding the situation.

The WBO may have been petitioned by team Parker to enforce the mandatory. From what I’ve seen in the last 5 months since Gustavo Olivieri became the new WBO president he seems to be making decisions that seem reasonable. 

Parker won the WBO interim in March of last year, so it is not an unreasonable request. The WBO could have refused the request at this time but it looks better for them to appear to be granting reasonable requests. Granting team Parker’s request to negotiate the mandatory & announcing that they want one champion per division gives the WBO some good PR. All the while not changing anything regarding a potential Usyk vs. Dubois fight, as being a unification it would take precedence over the mandatory, unless a deal with Parker is reached beforehand.

If the Saudis throw enough money at the WBO in wanting the unification for undisputed, the WBO will bend over backwards for them & they already have their rules to allow them to do so. 

Usyk is the type of fighter who will fight any opponent but if the Saudis are bidding on Usyk vs. Dubois, I don’t think anyone would be able to match or better their offer for Usyk to fight Parker.

Now the Saudi’s might be okay with Usyk vs. Parker & bid on that instead, they’ve had both on several cards & Usyk already gave up the IBF belt.

Usyk could give up the WBO belt like he did the IBF, that could lead to Parker being elevated or fighting for the full championship.

There's lots of different scenarios that could play out. 

The only way Usyk refuses to fight Parker is if a purse bid is won for the fight & then Usyk decides to fight someone else instead. Until that purse bid is won, Usyk has the WBO rules behind him to agree to a unification over the mandatory. And he won't be refusing to fight Parker, he'll be agreeing to a unification over a mandatory.

I think the WBO enforcing the mandatory is a good thing because it will speed up negotiations from all involved. We now have a month at most (unless an extension for the Parker fight is requested) for a Usyk vs. Dubois unification to be agreed to or for a Usyk vs. Parker deal to be reached (not including any potential extensions).