Joseph Parker Frustrated By Possible Usyk vs Dubois Rematch
All roads point toward one-time WBO champion Joseph Parker getting the cold shoulder from the reigning IBF heavyweight champion, Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois, who may bypass him for a rematch with unified titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) was to face Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) on February 22 in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. However, Dubois withdrew due to illness. Instead, Parker fought Martin Bakole, stopping him two rounds.
One would think that Dubois and Parker would try to reschedule their postponed match, right? Not necessarily. An interested ringside observer for the festivities was Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs), who told members of the boxing press that he believes his next fight will be against Dubois. Various boxing insiders believed that it could occur in either May or June. Moreover, the Dubois camp has gone M.I.A., which has further fueled speculation.
CONFUSED BY WHAT’S TRANSPIRED
Parker is not one bit happy. During an exclusive interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, the former champion had plenty of questions about how everything has come to pass.
“It does feel a bit weird. It feels weird because he (Dubois) was at the public workout. Then just like that, he got real ill, and there was no statement. There was no real proof or doctors . . . Even after the fight, nothing’s come out.”
“They’re talking about Dubois and Usyk having a fight, so there’s a possibility that they could be lining that fight up . . . Until we hear from him and the team and we actually know what happened to them, there will always be speculation.” ”
Dubois and Usyk previously fought in August 2023, with Usyk coming out victorious via a ninth-round stoppage. Competitive throughout, Dubois has been on record wanting a rematch. Given Usyk’s recent comments, it’s a strong possibility that negotiations have already begun for them to fight again.
THE CRUEL SIDE OF BOXING
Here’s the harsh truth: Usyk is the unified champion and is universally recognized as the best in the division. Whatever he wants right now, he’s sure to get. Team Dubois is no fool. They understand that there’s more money in a second fight with Usyk.
Parker would love for his next fight to be against either Dubois or Usyk but conceded that he’s not too confident it will happen. In truth, the fighter from New Zealand is probably correct. Having had a world title fight just vanish away, Parker feels he’s getting the shaft. Many fans on social media agree with the sentiments.
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