Joseph Parker will lose his WBO belt (Image: Getty Images)
Joseph Parker is set to be stripped of his WBO interim heavyweight champion belt as soon as the first bell rings for his upcoming clash with Daniel Dubois.
The 33-year-old will lose his status because he’s vying for a belt from another organisation. Dubois holds the current IBF title.
This leaves the WBO with no option but to remove Parker’s interim title once he starts exchanging punches with the British fighter next month.
Parker has been on an impressive winning streak since his devastating knockout loss to Joe Joyce in 2022. Following victories over Jack Massey, Faiga Opelu, and Simon Kean, the Kiwi boxer secured the most significant win of his career in December 2023 by defeating ex-world champion Deontay Wilder.
He then continued his success with a commanding win over Zhilei Zhang last year, earning him the WBO interim belt.
In a statement released on X – previously known as Twitter – this afternoon, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri announced that Parker would only hold the interim champion title for the briefest moment during his bout with ‘Triple D’ before being dethroned.
The post states: “The WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion, Joseph Parker, embodies the true spirit of the sport. A consummate professional, a gentleman, and a champion both inside and outside the ring, Parker has represented the WBO with great honour and integrity.”
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) released a statement clinching the arrangement for Parker’s upcoming bout, spelling out their policy nuances in extraordinary detail: “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.”
Eager to reclaim world champion status after holding the esteemed WBO gold belt from 2016 to 2018 and overcoming notable fighters like Andy Ruiz Jr, Razvan Cojanu, and Hughie Fury, Parker’s reign met its end in Cardiff at the hands of Anthony Joshua in 2018.
With all eyes on the prize, Parker couldn’t contain his anticipation at a press event previewing the Dubois fight, stating: “I’m very excited to be fighting for the championship of the world for the second time. Two-time world champion sounds beautiful.”
Meanwhile, following Oleksandr Usyk’s triumph over Tyson Fury last month, Dubois said: “It’s all about making noise. This is show business. That’s who I want next (Usyk), but first I’ve got to get through this guy.”
Dubois was quick to dismiss any suggestion that he’s looking past his current opponent, asserting firmly: “No way, I’m going to do a demolition job on him first, then I want Usyk next. I’m ready for it, I’m on a roll, so bring them on.”
Parker warned his rival: “You might be looking too far ahead, planning other big fights when you’ve got a fight in front of you right now,” to which Dubois confidently replied: “I’ve got my mind firmly set on you.”
The Kiwi pugilist then promised: “I’ve been boxing for a while and I feel like I’ve only just begun now. You’re in for a treat.”