Joseph Parker’s Promoter Demands WBO Title Shot Against Oleksandr Usyk Next

David Higgins Urges the WBO to grant Joseph Parker a deserved title shot, calling any exclusion from a Oleksandr Usyk clash unjust!

The heavyweight boxing scene has always been a messy place where politics matter more than skill. Fighters wait years for their shot while champions pick and choose opponents based on money rather than merit. Joseph Parker knows this game all too well, having been a former WBO champion himself before losing to Anthony Joshua back in 2018. Since then, he’s been on a mission to reclaim what he once held, methodically working his way back up the rankings with impressive victories over big names. The New Zealand fighter has beaten some serious heavyweights recently, including Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, proving he belongs in the elite conversation again.

Oleksandr Usyk just made boxing history at Wembley Stadium by knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round. The Ukrainian became a three time undisputed champion and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of this generation. He now holds every major heavyweight belt and seems to be running out of meaningful challenges. Usyk mentioned after his victory that he probably has only two fights left in his career, which makes the next opponent selection incredibly important. The question everyone’s asking is simple: who deserves the next shot at boxing’s undisputed king?

Joseph Parker’s Promoter Makes His Case

David Higgins didn’t mess around when it comes to getting his fighter the opportunities he deserves. Talking to Sky Sports, the promoter came out swinging after Usyk’s latest victory, making it crystal clear that Parker should be next in line for a title shot. His argument isn’t just based on emotion or wishful thinking either. Parker holds the mandatory position with the WBO, which means he technically has the right to challenge for that specific belt.

“The whole world wants to see Parker fight for a world title. He’s been in the queue for a long time. He’s a frontrunner. He’s mandatory with the WBO. It’s great to hear Frank Warren saying Parker next. It’s great to hear experts like Lennox Lewis saying Parker next. I think it would be an outrage if he didn’t get the shot. It’s not really fair.”

David Higgins believes it would be an 'outrage' if Joseph Parker didn't get a shot at Oleksandr Usyk's WBO heavyweight title 🗨️ pic.twitter.com/BhltXO2q1J
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) July 20, 2025

The numbers back up Higgins’ frustration too. Parker has strung together some impressive wins over legitimate contenders, including that recent knockout victory over Martin Bakole. He stepped in as a replacement when Dubois pulled out of their scheduled fight due to illness. He then delivered a spectacular performance that reminded everyone why he was once a world champion. Higgins believes that if Usyk truly wants to be considered the greatest heavyweight of this era, he needs to face Parker. And honestly, he is the only one who is left of the top heavyweights who Usyk hasn’t fought yet.

Joseph Parker

Oleksandr Usyk

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!