Oleksandr Usyk can’t name himself the best heavyweight boxer of his period till he fights and beats Joseph Parker, insists the Kiwi’s promoter David Higgins.
Usyk turned a three-time undisputed champion of the world and two-time undisputed heavyweight champion on Saturday as he knocked out Daniel Dubois within the fifth spherical to reign supreme at Wembley.
Through the build-up to the occasion Usyk had urged he possible had two extra fights left in his profession. If the primary was Dubois, who would be the second?
Talking within the ring afterwards, the Ukrainian floated Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, each of whom he has crushed twice, in addition to Derek Chisora and Parker as potential subsequent opponents.
“The entire world desires to see Parker struggle for a world title,” Parker’s promoter Higgins instructed Sky Sports activities.
“He is been within the queue for a very long time. He is a frontrunner. He is obligatory with the WBO. It is nice to listen to Frank Warren saying Parker subsequent. It is nice to listen to specialists like Lennox Lewis saying Parker subsequent.
“I believe it will be an outrage if he did not get the shot. It is not likely truthful.”
Daniel Dubois falls to the canvas after being knocked down by Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley
The 38-year-old Usyk delivered one other masterclass on British soil to quash the desires of his youthful rival, who had been looking for revenge for his first knockout loss to the previous Olympic champion again in August 2023.
Dubois had been resulting from defend his IFB belt in opposition to Parker earlier this 12 months earlier than pulling out throughout struggle week resulting from sickness.
Parker subsequently knocked out late substitute Martin Bakole to comply with up wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in maintaining him on the right track for an additional world title shot.
“He is the No 1 contender, the obligatory for the WBO and the WBO have ordered the winner to struggle Joseph, that is my understanding,” Higgins continued.
“In Joseph Parker, you have now obtained a veteran who’s fought names like Joshua, he is crushed guys like Andy Ruiz, Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, Bakole not too long ago. He is crushed all of them.
“And so, if Oleksandr Usyk goes to actually declare to be the best heavyweight of this period, he is obtained to beat Joseph Parker as nicely. And he hasn’t fought him but.
“I believe it will be foolish to go struggle guys he is already crushed. When Parker’s sitting there at primary contender.”
Highlights of Joseph Parker’s spectacular knockout victory in opposition to Martin Bakole.
Fury not too long ago voiced his intent to face Usyk in a trilogy struggle in 2026 after struggling back-to-back defeats to the unbeaten champion in 2024.
However a prolonged queue to problem Usyk has shaped, on the entrance of which seemingly lies the in-form Parker.
“Joseph is prepared,” stated Higgins. “He is boxing to win the world title, the unified world title, these are his objectives.
“He is already crushed numerous high guys, however he’d relish and leap at a chance to struggle for that title. So, if it was supplied up on the finish of the 12 months, nice. If it was subsequent 12 months, I am certain he’d take a look at it, he’d leap at it.
“He is gone within the ring with formidable, feared opponents because the underdog, guys that different individuals are scared to struggle. Joseph is simply getting higher and higher each struggle.
“He isn’t over-awed in any respect. He’d again himself to beat Oleksandr.”
