Joseph Parker Advised to Find Another Fight: Afraid of Ring Rust, Usyk and Gutless Waiting for an Opportunity to Strike?

The heavyweight division is no stranger to stalled negotiations, postponed matchups, and political roadblocks. Yet the recent developments surrounding Joseph Parker and Oleksandr Usyk have stirred a fresh storm of frustration among fans and pundits alike. Once considered a possible contender for Usyk’s next defense, Parker has now been left in limbo. Sources close to his camp suggest he’s being advised to “find another fight,” prompting questions about whether Usyk is dodging a dangerous challenge or simply buying time to preserve his form. Is Usyk afraid of ring rust? Or is Parker being forced out of the picture by a champion unwilling to engage until the perfect opportunity arises?

Joseph Parker’s momentum and readiness to strike

Joseph Parker has done everything a contender should do to re-enter title contention. After suffering a brutal defeat to Joe Joyce in 2022, many assumed the New Zealand heavyweight had reached his ceiling. But Parker reinvented himself, both physically and mentally, embarking on a rigorous training regime, trimming excess weight, and displaying renewed aggression in the ring. With victories over Faiga Opelu and Deontay Wilder’s former foe Zhilei Zhang, Parker reminded the world of his elite durability and adaptability.

In interviews, Parker expressed a desire to fight frequently and stay sharp—clear signs that he understands the dangers of ring rust in a division where timing and reflexes mean everything. Fighters who sit idle too long risk losing the rhythm that keeps them competitive, and Parker wants no part of that fate. Which is why his team urging him to seek a new opponent makes perfect sense—especially if Usyk continues to delay meaningful negotiations or shift his focus elsewhere.

Usyk’s calculated silence: a fear of rust or fear of risk?

Oleksandr Usyk has established himself as a generational talent. From dominating the cruiserweight division to dethroning Anthony Joshua, he’s proven his mettle at every level. But his recent pattern of long layoffs and selective opponent choices raises eyebrows. Since defeating Daniel Dubois in August 2023, Usyk has remained sidelined, citing contract issues, unification delays, and injury management. However, critics argue that Usyk’s prolonged inactivity may be more about risk aversion than rest.

At 38, Usyk’s style relies heavily on footwork, timing, and stamina—all attributes that deteriorate with age and disuse. Staying out of the ring too long could compromise the very traits that make him dominant. There’s also the reality that Joseph Parker, with his iron chin, improved conditioning, and calculated pressure, poses a stylistic threat that could dismantle Usyk’s rhythm. Rather than engaging in a high-risk fight while possibly unprepared, Usyk appears to be biding his time—perhaps waiting for the Fury rematch to materialize or looking for a lower-risk defense to maintain his standing.

This strategy, though logical from a business standpoint, is increasingly being viewed by fans and insiders as gutless. The longer he waits, the more speculation grows that Usyk is avoiding challenges like Parker to maintain an unbeaten record without testing it against rising threats.

The boxing world responds: frustration and fallout

When it became clear that a Parker vs Usyk bout was no longer imminent, voices from across the boxing landscape chimed in with concern and criticism. Promoters, analysts, and even rival fighters began calling out the stalemate. David Higgins, Parker’s longtime manager, criticized the lack of transparency from Usyk’s team, suggesting they were “ghosting” legitimate negotiations. Eddie Hearn hinted that Team Usyk is trying to manipulate mandatory obligations to avoid meaningful fights.

The frustration is not just about this particular matchup—it’s about a pattern in the heavyweight boxing scene where top fighters refuse to stay active. Fans want champions who defend belts regularly, who fight the best, and who aren’t afraid of losing. By not fighting Parker, Usyk is inadvertently contributing to the stagnation that has plagued the division since the Fury-Joshua deal collapsed in 2021.

Parker’s growing fanbase, especially in the UK and Oceania, feels cheated. They believe their fighter has earned a chance at redemption on the biggest stage. If the champion isn’t willing to grant it, then the public is beginning to question how long Usyk can carry the label of “the people’s champion.”

Parker’s next step: stay active, stay dangerous

In light of recent developments, Parker’s decision to look for another opponent is not just smart—it’s essential. If Usyk is unavailable, Parker must avoid waiting indefinitely. A long layoff could sap the momentum he’s spent years rebuilding. He needs to stay sharp, maintain visibility, and keep his name circulating in conversations about title contention.

Several names have been floated as potential opponents—Filip Hrgović, Martin Bakole, and even a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. Each offers something different: Hrgović brings undefeated momentum, Bakole presents a rugged stylistic challenge, and Ruiz offers name value and redemption. Any of these fights could keep Parker in the title picture while giving fans the action they crave.

More importantly, by staying active, Parker keeps pressure on Usyk and other champions. In today’s boxing landscape, visibility equals leverage. If Parker scores another win while Usyk sits on the sidelines, the narrative could shift—painting the Kiwi as the fearless warrior and Usyk as the overly cautious champion.

A changing narrative: who’s really avoiding whom?

When this potential fight first made headlines, the storyline was simple: could Parker crack Usyk’s puzzle? But now, as delays stretch into months and no contracts are signed, the roles are reversing. Questions are being raised not about Parker’s capability, but about Usyk’s commitment to defending his crown. The former cruiserweight king risks tarnishing his reputation if he continues to dodge live opponents while talking legacy.

The idea that Usyk might be afraid of ring rust has morphed into something more damning—a suggestion that he’s afraid of losing control. Parker is no longer seen as a desperate challenger. He’s becoming a symbol of what boxing needs: fighters who are ready, willing, and able to take risks. If Usyk continues to wait for “perfect” conditions, he may find himself unprepared when a mandatory challenge is finally enforced.

In the meantime, Parker has a chance to rebrand himself as the sport’s ultimate professional. A fighter who fights. A contender who stays hungry. And a warrior who doesn’t wait for permission to step back in the ring.

The politics of waiting: how long can Usyk hold out?

One of the less-discussed aspects of this situation is the contractual pressure mounting on Usyk. Governing bodies like the WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO each have their own timelines for mandatory defenses. Usyk can’t hold all four belts hostage forever. If he continues to sit idle, he could be stripped—especially if someone like Hrgović petitions for enforcement.

Moreover, the Fury fight, which Usyk has seemingly pinned his hopes on, remains uncertain. Tyson Fury has flirted with retirement multiple times, battled injuries, and now finds himself tied to crossover events like Ngannou rematches. Betting on that fight as the ultimate prize may be shortsighted.

Should Fury remain inactive or uninterested, Usyk will need a plan B. If Parker stays active and dominant, he could become that plan—whether Usyk likes it or not.

Conclusion: Parker moves forward, Usyk stands still

The heavyweight division has always been about moments. Fighters who seize the moment become legends; those who hesitate get passed by. Joseph Parker is ready. He’s willing. And now, he’s wisely moving on rather than waiting in vain.

Usyk, for all his brilliance, now faces mounting scrutiny. Is he managing his career, or avoiding the fight? Is he healing, or hiding? While he waits, Parker fights. And in boxing, that’s how narratives change. Champions don’t get to rest on past glories forever. They must defend them—or risk losing them without even stepping into the ring.

If Usyk truly wants to be remembered alongside the greats, he must stop dodging dangerous contenders like Parker. Otherwise, his legacy may be remembered not for his brilliance in the ring—but for the silence outside of it.