Oleksandr Usyk has been announced as part of the line-up for a charity football match in Lisbon on September 15, despite successfully securing a medical postponement of his mandatory WBO title defence against Joseph Parker.
The 38-year-old Ukrainian received a 90-day extension from the WBO based on injury claims, yet has been confirmed for the Legends Charity Game where he'll join a World XI facing Portuguese football legends including Luis Figo and Ricardo Quaresma. Usyk is set to play alongside the likes of John Terry, Michael Owen and Kaka.
"Everyone else playing is a former footballer, but when Oleksandr Usyk asks if he can play, you say yes!" said Rasmus Sojmark, founder and CEO of organisers Sport Global.
The WBO Championship Committee granted an extension retroactively from August 9 following a recent investigation into footage showing the Ukrainian dancing, which had prompted scrutiny of his injury claims.
The CHAMP joins the World Legends 🤯
— Legends Charity Game (@legendsmatch1) September 9, 2025
Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk will be part of the World Legends team for the Legends Charity Game!
He joins the fight to raise crucial funds for our four charities supporting war-torn communities in Ukraine… pic.twitter.com/pMkacjRCW5
Chairman Luis Batista Salas confirmed in a letter to both camps that the organisation was satisfied with the medical evidence provided.
It is said that Usyk is suffering with a back problem. The champion was last seen in the ring in July, during his brutal knockout of Daniel Dubois.
Oleksandr Usyk knocked Daniel Dubois down in the fifth round to become the undisputed champion in July
| ReutersThe ruling means Parker must defend his interim title against an approved opponent during this period, with the champion obligated to face the interim champion afterwards without any intervening bouts.
"Failure by Mr. Usyk to comply with this mandate shall trigger this Committee's intervention to proceed accordingly," the letter stated.
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Joseph Parker has been ordered to fight Fabio Wardley, with Oleksandr Usyk to face off against the victor
|GETTY
Parker's promoter David Higgins has expressed uncertainty about whether the champion will honour his commitment to face the mandatory challenger.
"I don't know [if Usyk will want to fight the winner]. There's been so little communication from the [Usyk] camp or engagement. It's hard to say," Higgins told Sky Sports.
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"If I had to bet my house on it, I would say he probably won't want to [fight Parker]. There has been no correspondence suggesting that they want to make the fight."
The New Zealander's team had hoped to secure the title opportunity sooner.
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Joseph Parker (above) and promoter David Higgins have questioned Oleksandr Usyk's commitment to a fight
|SKY SPORTS
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the title shot, Parker must navigate a dangerous assignment against Fabio Wardley at London's O2 Arena on October 25.
The Kiwi enters on a six-fight winning streak, including victories over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole in the past 21 months.
Wardley recently claimed the WBA interim title with a comeback knockout of Justis Huni and poses a genuine threat to Parker's mandatory status.
"Fabio has got a cult following and he's built an unbeaten record over eight years, never been beaten," Higgins warned.
"He's a fighter that can knock anyone out, he's got a big punch, so Joseph has got to be on form and fight at his best."