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BOXING

Joseph Parker to be stripped of WBO title as soon as the bell rings for round one

If you needed more proof that boxing is indeed the red light district of the sports world, the WBO jwill strip Joseph Parker of his title for the most ridiculous reason.

Boxing - Zhilei Zhang v Joseph Parker - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - March 9, 2024 Joseph Parker celebrates with his WBO Interim World Heavy Weight belt after winning his fight against Zhilei Zhang REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
Andrew CouldridgeREUTERS

In the dimly lit corridors of professional boxing, where the scent of sweat mingles with the echoes of past glories, Joseph Parker’s journey takes another unexpected turn. The WBO has decreed that Parker will hold the interim heavyweight title for a fleeting moment - precisely until the opening bell tolls in his bout against Daniel Dubois.

Gustavo Olivieri, the WBO President, elucidates this peculiar decision: “We do not allow an interim champion to unify with a full champion from another organization.”

Parker’s ascent to this juncture has been marked by formidable challenges and notable victories. His triumph over Zhilei Zhang in March, a majority decision that showcased his rebirth, elevated him within the heavyweight hierarchy. This victory followed a significant win against Deontay Wilder, further cementing his status as elite.

The forthcoming clash with Daniel Dubois, scheduled for February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, promises to be a pivotal moment in Parker’s career. Dubois, the IBF heavyweight champion, has been on a meteoric rise, recently delivering a stunning knockout against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium.

The WBO’s ruling adds a layer of complexity to this encounter. As Parker steps into the ring, he will be recognized as the interim champion, a title that will dissipate as the first punch is thrown. This decision underscores the intricate and often perplexing regulations that govern the sport, where titles can be as transient as the applause of the crowd.

Parker’s history in the ring is incredible. His initial reign as WBO heavyweight champion, commencing in 2016 after a contentious victory over Andy Ruiz Jr., was a period marked by both triumph and scrutiny. The subsequent loss of the title to Anthony Joshua in 2018 was a setback that fueled his determination to reclaim his position. Proving that the best asset of a champion is his heart, Parker went back to the drawing board and re-emerged anew, looking better in this second incarnation than he was in his first reign as world champion.

The upcoming bout against Dubois is not merely a contest for a title; it is a crucible that will test Parker’s resilience and adaptability. The backdrop of Riyadh, with its rich tapestry of history and culture, provides a fitting arena for this high-stakes confrontation.

As the boxing world anticipates this showdown, the narrative is imbued with a sense of poetic irony. Parker, a warrior who has navigated the tumultuous seas of professional boxing, faces a scenario where his championship status is both acknowledged and rescinded in the span of a heartbeat. It is a reminder of the ephemeral nature of glory in a sport where fortunes can change as swiftly as a well-placed jab.

In the end, the true measure of a champion lies not in the titles they hold, but in the battles they fight and the legacy they forge. For Joseph Parker, the fight against Daniel Dubois is an opportunity to etch his name deeper into the chronicles of boxing history, regardless of the transient titles that precede the opening bell.

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