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Usyk Ordered to Face Mandatory Challenger Parker or Relinquish WBO Belt
31 Jul
Summary
- Usyk must fight WBO mandatory challenger Joseph Parker or relinquish WBO title
- Pacquiao, 46, eyes IBF welterweight title as potential comeback fight
- Joshua targets Olympic gold medalist Yoka as tune-up before Fury or Paul bout
As of July 31, 2025, the boxing world is abuzz with several intriguing storylines. Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, fresh off an impressive fifth-round KO of Daniel Dubois to unify the titles, has been ordered by the WBO to face mandatory challenger Joseph Parker next. Usyk is expected to fight Tyson Fury in a trilogy bout next year, but if he declines to face Parker first, he'll have to relinquish his WBO belt and will no longer be an undisputed champion.
In the welterweight division, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, 46, returned to the ring on July 19 after a four-year retirement and fought to a draw against WBA champion Mario Barrios. Pacquiao is now eyeing a shot at the vacant IBF title as a potential path to becoming a champion again in the crowded 147-pound division.
Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who lost to Usyk twice, is also making a comeback following a fifth-round KO loss to Dubois in September. Joshua has set his sights on either a much-anticipated bout against Fury or a high-profile fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but he is also considering a clash with fellow Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka as a potential tune-up fight.
