Beating Wilder, Zhang, and Bakole – Yet Parker Still Has No Shot at Usyk: Who’s Avoiding Whom?
Joseph Parker has done everything right. Six wins in three years. Former world champion Deontay Wilder? Beaten. Chinese powerhouse Zhilei Zhang? Shut down. The beast Martin Bakole? Outclassed. And yet — unbelievably — he’s still waiting. Still not signed to fight for the undisputed crown. And the man holding that crown? Oleksandr Usyk.
So we ask: What more does Parker have to do? And is Usyk actually avoiding him?
The Road Back from Obscurity: Parker’s Resurgence Wasn’t Just Impressive — It Was Brutal
Not long ago, Joseph Parker was counted out. After back-to-back defeats to Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce, many pundits chalked him up as another former titlist on the decline. But Parker, under the meticulous guidance of trainer Andy Lee, quietly began to rebuild — and the path he chose wasn’t easy.
Six wins since 2022. Let’s break that down:
Faiga Opelu – A tune-up, sure, but necessary. A reminder that Parker still had speed, timing, and footwork.
Jack Massey – No frills, just dominance.
Deontay Wilder – The shock of 2023. Parker didn’t just win — he made Wilder look lost, surviving the Alabama slugger’s infamous right hand and dominating with movement and sharp counters.
Zhilei Zhang – The Chinese giant was supposed to steamroll Parker. Instead, Parker neutralized his offense and outboxed him for 12 rounds.
Martin Bakole – A physical nightmare for anyone in the division. Parker’s superior conditioning and ring IQ were on full display.
And now? He’s ranked as the WBO mandatory challenger. He should be next in line for Oleksandr Usyk, the man who currently holds all four major belts. But instead of fight posters and negotiations, there’s silence.
The Awkward Truth: Parker Is the Mandatory… But Still Frozen Out
Let’s get the facts straight: Joseph Parker is the official WBO mandatory challenger.
This means, on paper, Usyk must face him — or vacate the belt. But we all know boxing doesn’t live on paper.
According to Parker’s coach Andy Lee, their camp hasn’t heard a word from Usyk’s team. “We’ve done our part. Now we wait,” Lee stated in a recent interview. And while waiting is part of the game, Parker has been inactive since February 2025 — a dangerous amount of time to be sitting still when you’re at the peak of your prime.
More puzzling is the fact that Usyk’s next move seems unclear. The long-rumored Tyson Fury rematch is in limbo after Usyk secured a close, tactical win in their first bout. There’s also talk of fights with Anthony Joshua (again), or Jared Anderson — a marketable American prospect, but nowhere near Parker’s level of accomplishment or ranking.
So here we are: The most qualified contender is being ghosted. Why?
Is Usyk Ducking Parker – or Is It Just Business as Usual in Boxing?
To be fair, Oleksandr Usyk has never ducked a challenge. He beat everyone on the road. Undisputed at cruiserweight. Wins over Joshua. A victory over Fury. He’s one of the greatest technicians the sport has ever seen.
But Parker presents something different:
Fresh momentum.
Awkward style.
World-class chin.
Dangerous if underestimated.
Could it be that Team Usyk sees Parker as a high-risk, low-reward opponent? That’s a phrase often used to sidestep legitimate threats without the payday justification. Despite his achievements, Parker doesn’t bring the same international marketability as Joshua or Fury — but he brings more danger.
And danger, when you’re holding all the belts, is something you strategically avoid unless you’re forced.
“We’re Not Backups. We’re the Real Threat.” – Andy Lee’s Quiet Warning
While Parker remains diplomatic in the public eye, Andy Lee has started to voice frustration. “We’re not waiting around forever,” he recently told reporters. “If Usyk wants to play games, fine. But Joseph is ready, and the WBO has to enforce its rules sooner or later.”
There’s also growing concern about Parker’s inactivity. At 32, he’s in the final peak years of his career. Sitting idle could dull the sharpness he’s rebuilt over the last three years. “We want a fight. Any fight. But what Joseph truly wants — and deserves — is Usyk,” Lee insisted.
Where Is the WBO in All This? Enforce the Rules or Lose the Credibility
The WBO must now make a decision. If Parker is the mandatory, Usyk should either fight him or vacate. Boxing’s governing bodies often get away with bending timelines to favor big-money bouts, but fans — and fighters — are growing tired of the politics.
If the WBO fails to act, they risk undermining their own credibility. Why have mandatory challengers if they’re ignored at will?
The Fans Are Catching On — and They’re Not Happy
A quick scan through social media reveals a growing discontent among boxing fans. On Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and boxing forums, users are asking the same questions:
“Why is Parker not fighting Usyk next?”
“Parker beat Wilder, Zhang, Bakole — what else does he have to prove?”
“Usyk’s camp is stalling. That’s ducking.”
Even Deontay Wilder, in a surprising show of sportsmanship, said post-defeat that Parker “earned his shot.”
So why is the fight world pretending Parker doesn’t exist?
What Happens Next? Three Scenarios That Could Change Everything
Usyk Fights Parker Before the End of 2025
The best-case scenario. Clean. Mandatory fulfilled. Fans get the fight they didn’t realize they needed.
WBO Fails to Enforce the Mandate — Usyk Fights Someone Else
Parker sues or files a grievance. Bad press for the sport. More fan distrust.
Parker Takes a Stay-Busy Fight and Loses
A disaster. One wrong opponent, one off-night, and his mandatory status is gone.
Final Question: Who’s Really Avoiding Whom?
Joseph Parker has done everything a contender is supposed to do — and more. He’s beaten giants, outboxed sluggers, and outlasted the doubters. He’s done it all without excuses, without drama, and without ducking anyone.
And yet, no contract. No date. No communication.
So maybe the question isn’t whether Parker is ready for Usyk.
Maybe it’s whether Usyk is ready for Parker.
Because right now, the silence is starting to speak louder than words.
