Notebook: Bad back sidelines Usyk as he contemplates next move
Paro set for 147 title eliminator; Coe to face Hart in Ennis co-feature; Dubois overhauls team after 2nd KO vs. Usyk; Quick hits; Show and tell
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Less than a week after Oleksandr Usyk once again unified the four belts to become the undisputed heavyweight champion via one-sided fifth-round destruction of Daniel Dubois on July 19 he was, as expected, ordered to next make a WBO mandatory defense against Joseph Parker.
Their sides were given 30 days to strike a deal or a purse bid would be ordered. That 30-day period was set to expire next week with no movement on discussions for a deal, which Usyk was in no hurry to make for that fight or any other one.
He requested a medical exception to delay the mandatory fight due to what Team Usyk said were “back issues and the toll of grueling fights at the highest level, which have impacted the 38-year-old champion.”
His team said early Tuesday that the WBO has granted the extension, although the length of time was not mentioned and there had yet to be a formal announcement from the WBO.
