Oleksandr Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, has rubbished early reports of a deal for a rematch with Daniel Dubois this summer.
Klimas took to social media after outlets began running a story about Usyk vs. Dubois II being close to a done deal for Wembley Stadium. World Boxing News focused on the repercussions of that agreement for mandatory heavyweight and WBO interim champion Joseph Parker.
The WBO ordered Parker to be next in line and gave Usyk thirty days to negotiate last month. That deadline was about to run out when President Gustavo Olivieri told World Boxing News that an extension was granted for a potential Usyk vs Dubois return.
“Please note the current facts regarding the WBO Heavyweight Division,” Olivieri told Worldboxingnews.com.
“There is a petition before the Championship Committee to consider allowing the Usyk vs Dubois [undisputed heavyweight championship] unification to take precedence over the mandatory [Parker]. Therefore, at this time, there is no official ruling yet rendered in this matter.
“Upon the Committee making an official decision, we will formally make the announcement,” he added.
Those are the facts we know at the moment. However, when Klimas heard the report, he blasted attempts to be first with news.
“If you know the rules, and everyone knows the rules, promoters will announce their fights first and after media will do their job, not the other way around.
“Did you see other announcements from promoters or teams? Except non-respected media people who are trying to bring their hats ahead of everyone,” said Klimas.
Usyk vs. Dubois 2 has always been on the table—that’s not being debated. What has irked Klimas is the timing and prediction of the story. There’s no denying that Usyk would love to win back the IBF title he never lost in the ring and become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Mandatory challenger Parker wants his title fight and has earned it with victories over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole. Whether he’s willing to step aside is another entirely debated matter.
Risking his spot with another fight could prove a dealbreaker for Parker, who has fought for seven long years to regain a world title shot.
WBN believes Parker’s mandatory status isn’t set in stone. The 33-year-old may be willing to wait if the deal is right so that he can battle for the undisputed heavyweight title by December.
A spot on the four-belt WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO undercard could be enough to sweeten the deal.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.
