It’s Shameful: Usyk Should Have Given Parker a Fight, But Both Fighters Are Avoiding Him?

In the unpredictable world of heavyweight boxing, politics often dictate opportunity more than talent. While Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker have been active at the elite level, there’s a growing sentiment that one man has been quietly avoided: Daniel Dubois. Following Dubois’ controversial loss to Usyk and the shockwaves Joseph Parker sent through the division with his dominant win over Deontay Wilder, fans and analysts are asking an uncomfortable question: why hasn’t either fighter given Dubois a proper shot at redemption?

It’s becoming increasingly clear that both Usyk and Parker might be avoiding Dubois—and for reasons that go beyond boxing ability. Whether due to risk management, promotional roadblocks, or the shifting chessboard of heavyweight matchmaking, the apparent snubbing of Dubois is starting to look not only calculated—but shameful.

Dubois’ Controversial Loss to Usyk Still Echoes Across the Division

When Daniel Dubois challenged Oleksandr Usyk in August 2023 for the unified heavyweight titles, the outcome left the boxing community deeply divided. In the fifth round of the fight, Dubois landed a thudding body shot that sent Usyk to the canvas. To many, it was a legitimate body shot—a punch that should’ve ended the fight. Instead, the referee ruled it a low blow. Usyk was given time to recover, and he eventually stopped Dubois in the ninth round.

The reaction was instant and polarized. Many felt Dubois was robbed of a career-defining upset. Analysts such as Carl Frampton and David Haye publicly stated they believed the body shot was legal. Promoter Frank Warren was outraged and filed an official protest. Despite the noise, the result stood. Usyk retained his titles and marched forward toward a historic bout with Tyson Fury.

However, the underlying issue remained: Usyk never offered Dubois a rematch, even though the circumstances surrounding the outcome practically begged for one. That silence is becoming deafening.

Joseph Parker’s Rise and Selectivity: Is He Ducking Dubois?

After being written off by many pundits, Joseph Parker stunned the boxing world in late 2023 by dominating Deontay Wilder over 12 rounds. Parker’s disciplined performance resurrected his status as a top-five heavyweight contender. His stock soared—and so did expectations.

Yet, despite his newfound clout, Parker has not expressed interest in facing Daniel Dubois, even though both men have compelling narratives that could sell the fight. Instead, Parker appears to be eyeing a potential rematch with Anthony Joshua or a title eliminator with Filip Hrgović.

This selective matchmaking has prompted criticism. Why avoid a younger, hungry contender like Dubois? Especially one who shares a promotional network and would be easy to set up logistically?

Boxing is about taking risks—and many are starting to question whether Parker, despite his talent, is being overly cautious now that he’s back in the winner’s circle.

The Boxing World Reacts: Avoidance or Strategy?

Prominent boxing voices have not been quiet about what they see as avoidance tactics. Johnny Nelson recently commented on Sky Sports:

“Dubois is a dangerous fight for anyone. Maybe he lacks the finesse, but that power, that hunger—guys don’t want that smoke. Usyk knows he got lucky, and Parker knows it too.”

Even Eddie Hearn, who doesn’t promote Dubois, admitted there’s value in a Dubois fight, particularly given how controversial the Usyk bout was. Fans on social media have echoed similar sentiments, with Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) filled with heated debates about why Daniel Dubois is being iced out of high-profile fights.

And it’s not just fans feeling frustrated. Frank Warren, Dubois’ longtime promoter, has consistently pushed for major bouts and has not minced words about how Usyk and Parker are maneuvering:

“It’s disgraceful. Usyk owes Dubois a rematch. That punch was legal, and the public knows it. As for Parker—if he’s truly back, why not prove it against someone who nearly dethroned the champ?”

Dubois’ Dangerous Style: A Risk Neither Fighter Wants

The truth might be simpler than politics or ego. Daniel Dubois is dangerous. Standing 6’5” with knockout power in both hands, Dubois is a physical specimen whose punch output and aggression can overwhelm even seasoned opponents. While his defensive skills have room to improve, what he lacks in finesse he makes up for in raw intensity.

For a stylist like Oleksandr Usyk, who relies on rhythm and space, Dubois presents an uncomfortable style matchup. He’s not easy to outbox, and if that fifth-round punch had been ruled legal, Usyk’s undefeated record might have ended that night.

As for Parker, who has often been criticized for playing it safe and lacking urgency, facing Dubois would mean risking the momentum he built from beating Wilder. A loss to Dubois would unravel all of that progress.

In short, neither fighter benefits from fighting Dubois—unless they’re prepared to roll the dice and truly test themselves.

Is Boxing’s Business Model to Blame?

This isn’t the first time a rising contender has been left out in the cold. Boxing’s modern matchmaking model often favors revenue over merit. With multiple belts, mandatory challengers, and promotional rivalries, fighters can cherry-pick opponents that make sense financially rather than competitively.

Dubois, despite his name recognition and fanbase in the UK, isn’t yet a pay-per-view staple in the U.S. That makes him less appealing for fighters like Parker or Usyk, who want mega-events. However, that logic misses the point. Dubois earned a rematch with Usyk based on what happened in the ring, not at the box office. Similarly, Parker owes it to the sport to take on tough challengers, not just legacy fights or tune-ups.

In other words, the sport’s infrastructure is enabling avoidance, allowing fighters to sidestep accountability and avoid dangerous opponents like Dubois under the guise of business strategy.

What’s Next for Daniel Dubois?

Despite the setbacks, Daniel Dubois remains a key figure in the heavyweight scene. Still only in his mid-20s, he has time, youth, and power on his side. Frank Warren continues to position him for marquee fights, and his name is now frequently mentioned in conversations involving Zhilei Zhang, Filip Hrgović, and even a rematch with Joe Joyce.

If Dubois can secure one more high-profile win—perhaps against an aging Dillian Whyte or a crossover name like Andy Ruiz Jr.—he’ll be impossible to ignore. The public and pundits will demand that Usyk and Parker acknowledge the threat he poses.

But until then, it’s clear that the road ahead won’t be easy. He’ll have to fight harder outside the ring than inside it to earn the respect and chances he’s due.