New Zealand star Joseph Parker is gearing up for a world title bout against British IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois but will pay a steep price for his contest as the WBO confirmed yesterday he is set to lose his WBO interim title when he steps into the ring on February 22. With Parker set to win the IBF title if he comes out on top against Dubois, it appears the WBO has deemed it unnecessary to allow the WBO interim title to be in play regardless of who ends up winning.
Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KO’s) won the WBO interim heavyweight (200+ lbs) title last year in March after a surprise majority decision (MD) victory over Chinese slugger Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KO’s) who managed to knock the New Zealand fighter down twice during their 12-round bout. Zhang, who had been in possession of the WBO interim title before the match, lost his belt to Parker as a result.
Despite the WBO heavyweight title still in the grips of Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KO’s), Parker is poised to challenge for a different world title as he prepares to face Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KO’s) on February 22nd who will defend his IBF heavyweight title against Parker.
Given the upcoming battle between the two fighters, the WBO has opted to forfeit Parker’s interim title, though he will be announced as the WBO interim champion on fight night. Following the start of the match, however, the WBO interim title will be made vacant according to WBO president Gustavo Olivieri:
“The WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion, Joseph Parker, embodies the true spirit of the sport,” The official press release by the WBO president reads. “A consummate professional, a gentleman, and a champion both inside and outside the ring, Parker has represented the WBO with great honor and integrity.
“In accordance with WBO policy regarding the unification of interim titles, we have mutually agreed that Joseph Parker will enter the ring as champion, and he will be announced as such. However, upon the sound of the opening bell, the title will be declared vacant.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to Joseph Parker for his dedication to the sport and look forward to his continued success in his career. All the best against Dubois. The doors of the WBO will always be open.”
The WBO interim heavyweight title has been around for almost three years since British heavyweight contender Joe Joyce (16-3, 15 KO’s) first defeated Joseph Parker in 2022 to become the WBO interim champion. The title would subsequently switch hands twice as Joyce ended up losing to Zhilei Zhang the next year, only for Zhang to also lose the belt the next year.
Notably, none of the three fighters that were in possession of the WBO interim title had been given the opportunity to face the beltholder of the WBO world title, Oleksandr Usyk, thereby justifying its upcoming relinquishment on February 22nd.
