Oleksandr Usyk has been granted a 90-day extension to negotiate his mandatory defence against Joseph Parker on medical grounds.

The Ukrainian was initially afforded more time due to a lingering back injury, but after a video emerged online of the undisputed heavyweight champion dancing, an investigation was launched.

The WBO demanded an updated medical prognosis from Team Usyk, and they were satisfied with the evidence they received.

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If Usyk had been found to be unnecessarily delaying his mandatory obligation, then the WBO would have been within its rights to strip him of his red and gold strap.

However, the 38-year-old will remain WBO heavyweight champion while Parker squares off against Fabio Wardley on October 25 in London.

“Team Usyk’s petition for a 90-day extension is granted on medical grounds,” read a letter addressed to Usyk and Parker’s respective teams from the Chairman of the WBO Championship Committee, Luis Batista Salas.

“The 90-day extension shall have a retroactive effect from the date of submission, August 9, 2025.

“Mr. Joseph Parker, Interim Heavyweight Champion, is authorized to defend his interim title against a suitable opponent approved by this Committee, during the extension period.

“Mr. Oleksandr Usyk shall be mandated to face next the WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion; no intervening bouts will be allowed.

“Failure by Mr. Usyk to comply with this mandate shall trigger this Committee’s intervention to proceed accordingly.

“This Resolution is final, definitive, and enforceable.”

Wardley recently got his hands on the WBA interim title after a stunning come-from-behind knockout win over Justis Huni.

He now has the opportunity to jump the queue and land a four-belt shootout with Usyk by snatching the WBO’s version of the interim strap from Parker at the O2 Arena.

It will be no easy task, with Parker currently riding a rich vein of form.

The Kiwi rebounded from a stoppage loss to Joe Joyce in September 2022 to string together a six-fight winning streak.

His last three victories have been particularly impressive, with Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole all falling at his hands over the past 21 months.

Parker had been scheduled to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF world title in February.

However, the fight collapsed after Dubois fell ill.

The Auckland technician is now one win away from challenging for that belt, plus three more (WBO, WBA and WBC) against Usyk.

Oleksandr Usyk yet to be granted extension to negotiations for Joseph Parker fight after sustaining an injury

Oleksandr Usyk is yet to be granted an extension to negotiations for his Joseph Parker fight, with the deadline drawing closer for the WBO title defence.

The undisputed world heavyweight champion has asked the WBO for more time to discuss the fight against mandatory challenger Parker due to an injury.

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But the governing body has confirmed it is yet to agree a longer negotiation period, and the 30-day deadline to reach a deal with Parker, which was set on July 24, is fast approaching.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri told Sky Sports that the negotiation period “concludes this week”.

“Pertaining to the request submitted by Team Usyk, such is under consideration by the Championship Committee,” Olivieri added.

Serhii Lapin, director of Usyk’s team and CEO of Ready to Fight, has suggested the undisputed world champion is weighing up his options for his next fight after unifying all the major belts again following last month’s knockout win over Daniel Dubois at Wembley.

“The champion has earned the chance to let his body recover from the effects of a punishing training regime and from injuries that are often invisible to the outside world,” said Lapin.

“And, ultimately, simply to rest and spend time with his family. Most importantly: he has earned the right to choose his own future – and to take the time he needs to make that decision.”

Parker’s UK promoter Frank told Sky Sports that Usyk applied for an extension last Thursday and the New Zealander could instead fight No 1 contender Moses Itauma if the Ukrainian decides to relinquish his WBO belt.

“Whatever happens, the fact of life is Joseph Parker will either fight as champion if Usyk vacates or he will fight Usyk for the title,” said Warren.

The 20-year-old Itauma continued his swift progress towards a world title fight after his stunning stoppage of Dillian Whyte in the first round last weekend, which even led to calls for him to challenge Usyk next.

Oleksandr Usyk makes Joseph Parker fight request after suffering injury

Oleksandr Usyk has requested an extension on the negotiations for his mandatory fight with Joseph Parker, according to the Kiwi’s promoter, Frank Warren.

On July 27, the WBO ordered Usyk to defend his undisputed heavyweight crown against the major sanctioning body’s interim champion, Parker.

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“He (Usyk) put a letter in yesterday stating that he’s asked him for an extension period, because he’s injured, before being ordered to do anything,” Warren told Sky Sports.

“Whatever happens, the fact of life is Joseph Parker will either fight as champion if Usyk vacates or he will fight Usyk for the title…

“His camp have written asking for a period of time before he has to defend the title.

“We’ll see what happens, and the WBO will put a statement out on this today or tomorrow.

“I’ve been informally told what the position is. The most important thing is to focus on Saturday, it’s a very important fight.”

What will happen if Oleksandr Usyk refuses to fight Joseph Parker?

Should Usyk choose to relinquish his belt rather than fight Parker, then the expectation is that the New Zealander will be upgraded to full world champion.

If this does happen, then Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte’s domestic dust-up this weekend will become all the more important.

At present, Itauma is ranked No.1 by the WBO, meaning whoever emerges victorious will be the frontrunner to fight Parker for the red and gold strap.

Parker was denied a shot at the IBF heavyweight title in February after former champion Daniel Dubois pulled out of their fight due to illness.

The 33-year-old was then forced to step aside to allow Usyk and Dubois to face each other in a four-belt shootout at Wembley Stadium in July.

The Ukrainian subsequently knocked out Dubois in the fifth round to add the final piece of the undisputed puzzle, the IBF belt, to his collection.

And now Parker is on the verge of fighting the pound-for-pound king for all the marbles should everything go to plan.