“World Champion from Ukraine should conduct compulsory title protection”, – WRITE: Sport.ua
President Gustavo Olivieri said that the champion Alexander Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) from Ukraine is obliged to protect the belt in a duel with the New Zealand contender Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KO).
The parties have 30 days to arrange a meeting, otherwise promotional bidding will be assigned. Initially, Usik planned to fight for the title of absolute champion against the British Daniel Duba.
Parker responded concisely to WBO’s decision and posted a photo on his social networks: “This is a plan of God. They cannot stop inevitable, ”the New Zealand boxer wrote.
Joseph last went to the ring on February 22 in Riyadh, when he knocked out in the second round of the representative of DR Congo Martin Bakole.