Oleksandr Usyk’s first mandatory challenger is Joseph Parker, and Carl Froch has made his early prediction for the fight.
The Ukrainian once again put on a masterclass to defeat Daniel Dubois with a savage fifth round knockout this past weekend. The win saw him regain the IBF belt he had to vacate last year and add it to the WBA, WBO and WBC titles.
Usyk is now a two-time undisputed heavyweight ruler and former undisputed cruiserweight champion with very few real challenges left in the sport. One of them is Parker, a former champion and now the WBO mandatory. The sanctioning body has already said the fight must take place and are expected to officially order it soon.
Speaking on Froch on Fighting, Froch reckoned Parker is deserving of a shot, but would be another straightforward win for the Ukrainian.
“Parker has done everything he needs to do now to warrant a shot at Usyk, but would you even give him a chance? It’d be an interesting fight, quite fast hands, high work rate. But let’s not forget who Parker has already lost to.
“He lost to Dillian Whyte a few years ago, and he’s been beat by people who couldn’t really lace Usyk’s boots, and I’m not having a go at Joseph Parker. I do think if anybody does deserve the fight, he does, he deserves a payday. But is anybody honestly giving Parker a chance against Usyk? Cause I’m not. I just don’t think it’s realistic.”
Parker’s recent run of form includes an impressive second-round KO over late stand-in Martin Bakole back in February, and before that he beat Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder on points, but Usyk represents a whole new level of difficulty for the in-form New Zealander.
Should Usyk decide to vacate the belt to pursue another fight, it is understood that Parker could face number one challenger Moses Itauma – who fights Dillian Whyte next month – for the title.