The WBO World Championship Committee has ordered the commencement of negotiations between world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (who holds the WBO championship plus the three other major titles) and WBO interim champion Joseph Parker. The WBO's letter, to the boxers' respective promoters, stated, "By virtue of this order, the WBO interim championship shall be terminated expeditiously in compliance with the WBO institutional policy of only one world champion per weight class. The parties have thirty days to reach terms. Failure to do so will result in the WBO Championship Committee ordering purse bid proceedings."

WBO president Gustavo Oliveiri followed up the news with the followiung Twitter comment, "WBO is officially ordering the enforcement of the WBO Mandatory between Usyk & Parker to expeditiously terminate the Interim Champion status. This action aligns with our firm policy of maintaining only one champion per weight class."