No Gold for Parker: Why Usyk Will Never Grant Him a Title Shot

Joseph Parker entered the ring last Saturday night to jump the gun and to call out Oleksandr Usyk after his undisputed heavyweight championship victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London.

Parker’s Publicity Stunt

It was a move by Joseph to put Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) on the spot, hoping he’d agree to the fight and begin the marketing process. It was the same sneaky tactic that Daniel Dubois had employed, doing the same thing to Usyk last December to pressure him into a needless rematch after his victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh.

Dubois was allowed in the ring in that case, too. Fans didn’t want to see a rematch between Oleksandr and Dubois, because the first one in 2023 told them all they needed to know. Dubois mentally breaks when the pressure is on.

Parker’s last three victories against the 315-lb Martin Bakole, 41-year-old Zhilei Zhang, and the faded Deontay Wilder weren’t significant enough wins to increase his popularity with the boxing public. Fans knew those guys were lesser fighters.

Parker needed to beat this type of young talent to make him a more viable option for Usyk

– Agit Kabayel
– Moses Itauma
– Bakhodir Jalalov
– Lenier Pero

It’s doubtful that Parker’s pressure tactics will work for him, as it’s not a marketable fight that can be sold to the fans. Oleksandr did Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs)a favor by fighting him instead of a more lucrative match against Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury. But there’s no commercial reason for Usyk to throw a bone to Parker as well (36-3, 24 KOs).

Usyk’s Money Bonfire with Parker

Usyk is down to his last fight of his career before retiring. As such, if he were to fight Parker next, he would be losing out on millions. Usyk reportedly made $100 million for his rematch with Fury last December. If he were to fight Parker, it’s possible that he wouldn’t make even half of that sum. A fight with Parker would be like tossing millions onto a bonfire for Usyk

“We need to make a plan now. I need to get in the ring and fight. I’ve been waiting for too long [5 months],” said Joseph Parker to Pro Boxing Fans about wanting a title shot next against undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. “It was great to see him become a two-time undisputed champion of the world. I’m waiting for my opportunity. I’m going to see if he does give it to me, and hopefully, we can share the ring together and have a great fight.”