Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua could be on the verge of another title opportunity, as Oleksandr Usyk is expected to vacate the WBO belt in favor of a unification showdown with IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois.
The WBO has mandated Usyk to defend his championship against Joseph Parker, who holds the position of mandatory challenger. However, the Ukrainian superstar appears to be prioritizing a unification clash with Dubois instead.
Boxing analyst Spencer Oliver commented on the situation, stating that Usyk vs. Parker is unlikely to take place. Instead, he expects the WBO to strip Usyk of the title and promote Parker to full champion status.
With this shift, Joshua may find himself in line to face Parker for the WBO belt, despite his recent defeat to Dubois via a fifth-round knockout.
Oliver elaborated that Parker would most likely defend the title against Joshua, setting the stage for an eventual showdown between the division’s top fighters to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion.
The British fighter’s achievements and legacy in boxing have earned him another shot, according to Oliver. Though he fell short against Dubois, he remains one of the sport’s biggest names.
Usyk, who has previously bested both Joshua and Dubois, still considers AJ the superior fighter.
Meanwhile, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn recently disclosed that the former champion is only focused on two potential opponents—either Tyson Fury or a rematch against Dubois.
Hearn emphasized that Fury’s return to the ring in the coming months would be ideal, potentially paving the way for a high-stakes clash between the two British heavyweights later this year. However, he acknowledged that nothing is certain, as the bout remains one of the biggest fights that could be arranged in the sport.
