Daniel Dubois may not get his desired rematch with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk just yet.

Usyk underscored his status as the finest heavyweight of his generation with a second win over Tyson Fury late last year as the now former undisputed champion extended his perfect record to 23-0 in what was the latest big money bout from boxing’s new money-men in Saudi Arabia last December.

Dubois, who is seeking revenge for a ninth-round knockout loss to the Ukrainian from August 2023, was in line to fight the surging contender Jospeh Parker last month was forced to pull out from the contest just days out from the first bell after falling ill. He was replaced by Congolese heavyweight Martin Bukole who was quickly dispatched by Parker by second round KO.

However, despite not fighting many — apparently including Dubois’s camp — believed that the Briton would be placed into a rematch with Usyk, but that was until the WBO, the governing body of one of Usyk’s championships, ordered him to fight Parker and said that the camps have 30 days to agree terms on a mandatory title fight or a call will be issued for purse bids.

In order for the Dubois-Usyk rematch to proceed next, it is likely that Parker would have to be financially compelled to step aside. It is understood that Dubois’ representatives had been in talks with Usyk’s camp over terms of their rematch, though now it appears any bout between the two will likely be delayed.

Parker, 33, is arguably in the form of his career at the moment, having gone 12-1 in his past 13 bouts including wins over Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and two over Derek Chisora. His sole loss in the past seven years came against another Briton, Joe Joyce, in a fight in which Parker entered the ring suffering from an illness.

Dubois, meanwhile, has won three straight since his defeat by Usyk, beating Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and in his biggest victory to date, Anthony Joshua last September.