Oleksandr Usyk ordered to defend WBO title against Joseph Parker

The Andy Lee-coached heavyweight has earned a crack at the Ukrainian.  

TOP DOG: Oleksandr Usyk is the WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion. Pic: Nick Potts/PA)

Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered to start negotiations to defend his WBO heavyweight title against Joseph Parker – potentially scuppering Daniel Dubois’ hopes of a rematch with the Ukrainian.

The WBO announced Usyk, who also holds the WBC and WBA crowns, has 30 days to “reach terms” for a mandatory title defence against New Zealand’s Parker or the sanctioning body will call for purse bids.