Tuesday, 14 January 2025

JOSEPH PARKER TO FARCICALLY LOSE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE IN ONE SECOND


WBO President Gustavo Olivieri confirmed that Joseph Parker would be the interim heavyweight champion for one second of his contest with Daniel Dubois before losing the title.

Parker’s status will be declared void once the first bell rings in the Dubois clash due to the New Zealander challenging for another organization’s belt. Dubois is currently the IBF champion, giving the WBO no choice but to strip Parker as soon as he trades blows under the auspices of another sanctioning body.

Outlining the ruling, Olivieri stated, “The WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion, Joseph Parker, embodies the true spirit of the sport. A consummate professional, gentleman, and champion inside and outside the ring, Parker has represented the WBO with great honor and integrity. In accordance with WBO policy regarding the unification of interim titles, we have mutually agreed that Joseph Parker will enter the ring as champion, and he will be announced as such. However, upon the sound of the opening bell, the title will be declared vacant.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Joseph Parker for his dedication to the sport and look forward to his continued success in his career.

“All the best against Dubois. The doors of the WBO will always be open,” he added.

Parker won the strap against Zhilei Zhang in March, months after defeating Deontay Wilder for WBC and WBO Ranking titles. The majority decision elevated Parker into the top five heavyweights in the world, alongside Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Andy Ruiz Jr, and Daniel Dubois.

The 33-year-old is attempting to become world champion for the second time in his career. He reigned from 2016 to 2018 after beating Ruiz in a hotly debated decision on home soil in Auckland.

Many are tipping Parker to dethrone Dubois on February 22 in Saudi Arabia. The fight will be part of a blockbuster bill that includes Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2.

- Phil Jay

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