According to David Higgins, the promoter of Joseph Parker, Oleksandr Usyk cannot claim the title of the greatest heavyweight boxer of his time without first facing and defeating Parker. This statement follows Usyk’s recent victory over Daniel Dubois, where he emerged as a three-time undisputed champion during an electrifying match at Wembley in London.
Usyk’s win over Dubois in the fifth round solidified his status, leading him to hint at a couple more fights left in his career. Speculation is rife about who his next opponent might be, as he mentioned potential matchups with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua—opponents he has previously conquered—alongside Derek Chisora and, notably, Parker.
During a post-fight interview, Higgins emphasized Parker’s readiness for a world title challenge. “Joseph deserves this shot; he has long been in line as the number one contender with the WBO,” he stated in an interview with Sky Sports. He praised experts like Frank Warren and Lennox Lewis for recognizing Parker’s qualifications for a title shot, asserting that it would be unjust if Parker was overlooked.
Daniel Dubois hits the canvas after suffering a knockdown from Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley
At 38, Usyk showcased his prowess, dismantling Dubois, who had hoped for redemption following his prior loss to Usyk in August 2023. Dubois was initially slated to defend his IBF title against Parker earlier this year but withdrew due to illness.
Meanwhile, Parker has been on an impressive streak, securing victories against respected fighters such as Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, and most recently knocking out Martin Bakole. “With Parker at number one in the WBO rankings, it’s clear he should be in line for the title,” Higgins added.
He further highlighted Parker’s extensive experience against top-tier opponents and argued that if Usyk truly wishes to cement his legacy as the greatest heavyweight of this generation, he needs to face Parker. “Continuing to fight opponents he’s already bested doesn’t make much sense when the number one contender is right there,” said Higgins.
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As for Tyson Fury, he recently indicated his desire to engage Usyk in a trilogy match in 2026, following consecutive defeats to Usyk in 2024. Yet, the queue to challenge Usyk is growing, with Parker clearly leading among the contenders.
“Joseph is all set,” Higgins concluded. “He is focusing on capturing the unified world title and is eager for this opportunity. He has faced formidable opponents as the underdog and continues to improve with every fight. He wouldn’t hesitate to take on Usyk and believes he can defeat him.”