Interim WBO heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker recently commented on the prospect of a potential fight against the unified WBA, WBO, and WBC champion in his division, Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker recounted a previous encounter with Usyk: “I once approached him and said, ‘You have two fights left, the next one will probably be Dubois, and in the last one, you have to fight me.’ Usyk’s reaction was dismissive, ‘No, no, no.’” Parker believes Usyk is primarily focused on lucrative opportunities, stating, “I think Usyk wants fights for big money. I believe they will have a financial rematch with Dubois, and then he wants either a fight with Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury again.”
According to Parker, Usyk suggested Parker would have to wait: “He said: ‘Do your thing, don’t worry, after I retire, you can get your chance to fight for the title’ or something like that.”
Despite Usyk`s apparent lack of immediate interest, Parker expressed his strong desire for the bout. “I would gladly test my skills in a fight with Usyk,” said Parker, adding his high regard for the champion, “I believe that at this moment he is the best heavyweight of our generation.”
Usyk`s next fight is a rematch against Daniel Dubois, scheduled for July 19th in London, UK.
