A video showing unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk dancing energetically to music has been making waves in recent days. Nothing wrong with that in principle, but many – including Joseph Parker’s manager, David Higgins – have questioned whether the Ukrainian boxer’s moves in the controversial clip are compatible with his alleged injury. A doubt that, apparently, has also reached the upper ranks of the WBO.
The underlying issue is that Oleksandr Usyk has officially requested from the federation presided over by Gustavo Olivieri an extension of the deadline to reach an agreement with mandatory challenger Joseph Parker for the defense of his belt. The reason given for the request was precisely an injury that would prevent Usyk from starting a new training camp in the short term.
Now the WBO wants clarity, and following the release of the video in question, it has asked the champion’s team to provide additional medical documentation, including an updated prognosis.
Meanwhile, Parker doesn’t seem inclined to stay inactive for too long while waiting for news and is looking around for another opponent. In fact, reports have surfaced of negotiations with hard-hitting British puncher Fabio Wardley, who could face Parker as early as October. Wardley is coming off a spectacular KO victory over Justis Huni, achieved in the tenth round thanks to his brutal power after losing most of the earlier rounds.
Below, Usyk’s dance video: