The WBO has ordered World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk to begin negotiations with Joseph Parker for a mandatory title defense.
The governing body announced that both fighters have 30 days to reach an agreement, after which a purse bid will be called if terms are not settled.
Usyk currently holds the WBC, WBA (Super), and WBO heavyweight titles, while Parker is the interim WBO champion. Parker defended his title last month in Riyadh with a second-round knockout victory over Martin Bakole.
The New Zealander previously held the WBO belt from 2016 to 2018 before losing it to Anthony Joshua.
Meanwhile, IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is already in negotiations to face Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title.
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