Oleksandr Usyk’s Shocking Move: Dubois Fight for Undisputed Crown Before Parker’s WBO Mandatory?
The heavyweight boxing world has been shaken yet again by an unexpected twist in the ongoing saga of Oleksandr Usyk’s reign as the undisputed champion. With mandatory challengers lining up and boxing politics at play, the Ukrainian superstar now finds himself at the center of a major controversy.
Reports indicate that Usyk may opt to fight Daniel Dubois before facing Joseph Parker, even though Parker has WBO mandatory status. This unexpected move has left fans and analysts questioning: Is this a strategic masterstroke, a political maneuver, or simply a case of chasing the biggest financial reward?
Let’s break down this shocking development, the implications for Dubois, Parker, and the entire heavyweight division, and what it means for the future of Usyk’s legacy.
Usyk’s Mandatory Obligations: The WBO vs. the WBA
As the undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk holds all four major belts (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO). Each governing body has its own mandatory challengers, and fulfilling these obligations is often a complicated and political process.
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WBO Mandatory: Joseph Parker
- Parker earned his mandatory shot after an impressive winning streak, capped off by a career-defining victory over Deontay Wilder.
- Traditionally, the WBO mandates take priority, meaning Usyk should be fighting Parker next.
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WBA Mandatory: Daniel Dubois
- Dubois, despite suffering a defeat to Usyk previously, remains a top contender under the WBA rankings.
- His camp has been pushing for a rematch, claiming that their first fight ended in controversy due to a debatable low blow ruling.
The real question is: Why is Usyk choosing Dubois over Parker, and how does this benefit or hurt his undisputed status?
Why Usyk Might Prefer Dubois Over Parker
1. A bigger paycheck?
In modern boxing, money talks louder than rankings. Dubois’ camp, backed by influential promoters, may be offering Usyk a more lucrative deal than what a Parker fight could generate.
- The UK market is massive, and a Dubois rematch could bring in significant revenue.
- Dubois, despite losing to Usyk, has a growing fanbase and can generate strong pay-per-view numbers.
- Parker, though highly respected, does not have the same market pull as Dubois at this moment.
2. A Safer Opponent for Usyk?
Even though Dubois is dangerous, Usyk has already beaten him convincingly once.
- Parker, on the other hand, has looked better than ever, displaying improved power, ring IQ, and tactical patience.
- There’s a risk that Parker could pose a bigger challenge than Dubois, making the WBO mandatory a higher-stakes fight.
3. Strategic Timing for the Heavyweight Landscape
The heavyweight division is moving toward a historic, undisputed era, with superstars like Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Filip Hrgović waiting in the wings.
- Usyk’s team might see Dubois as a quick fight that allows them to stay active while avoiding an immediate Parker clash.
- If Usyk beats Dubois, he can leverage his position for a much bigger fight—perhaps against the winner of Fury vs. Joshua.
4. Revenge Factor: Dubois Wants to Settle the Score
After their first fight, Dubois and his camp strongly believed he was robbed of a knockout victory due to the controversial low blow ruling.
- A rematch would allow Dubois to settle unfinished business and prove that his first encounter with Usyk was no fluke.
- Dubois is still young, hungry, and eager to claim the biggest win of his career.
How This Decision Affects Joseph Parker
If Usyk truly prioritizes Dubois, Parker is left in a difficult position.
1. Forced to Wait—Again
Parker has already been waiting months for his rightful title shot. If Usyk fights Dubois first:
- Parker could sit on the sidelines even longer, which could kill his momentum.
- The WBO might get impatient and strip Usyk, which could lead to a messy situation.
2. A possible interim fight?
To stay active, Parker might be forced to take a high-risk fight against another top contender.
- Would he accept a bout against Anthony Joshua or Filip Hrgović?
- Could Parker fight a dangerous up-and-comer like Jared Anderson while waiting for his shot?
Parker’s camp is already expressing frustration, and some reports suggest they could take legal action to enforce the WBO mandate.
What Happens If Usyk Fights Dubois?
If Usyk follows through with this plan and faces Dubois first, the heavyweight division will undergo a major shake-up.
- If Usyk wins convincingly, he cements his dominance and solidifies his claim as the best heavyweight in the world.
- If Dubois pulls off the upset, it would be one of the biggest title shake-ups in recent boxing history.
- If Parker is forced to fight someone else in the meantime, there’s always the risk that he could lose his mandatory position before even getting his title shot.
What Are the Fans Saying?
Fans Divided Over Usyk’s Decision
As expected, social media has been exploding with debates over whether Usyk’s choice to fight Dubois is the right one.
“Why is Usyk ducking Parker? He’s supposed to follow the WBO order first!”
“Dubois deserves his rematch! That low-blow call was garbage!”
“Parker is in the best shape of his career, and Usyk knows it. This is a business move.”
“Dubois fight makes more money. Boxing is a business first.”
The reaction varies depending on which fighter fans support, but one thing is clear—this move has added even more drama to the already chaotic heavyweight division.
Conclusion: What’s Next for Usyk, Dubois, and Parker?
If Usyk officially announces Dubois as his next fight, the heavyweight picture takes a fascinating turn.
- Dubois gets his shot at revenge.
- Parker is left frustrated and might take a dangerous interim fight.
- Usyk either strengthens his claim as the best or risks losing his titles in an upset.
The boxing world is now waiting on Usyk’s final decision. Will he stick with tradition and face Parker, or will he shock the world by choosing Dubois first?
No matter what happens, one thing is for sure—the road to heavyweight supremacy just got even more unpredictable!
