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Home » EXCLUSIVE: WBO rule out handing Dillian Whyte v Joseph Parker PPV fight interim title status

EXCLUSIVE: WBO rule out handing Dillian Whyte v Joseph Parker PPV fight interim title status

Despite promoter Eddie Hearn stating the winner would be in line to face Joshua in 2019, it’s a well-known fact that the winner of Kubrat Pulev’s forthcoming Bulgaria outing in August would be the next in line.

That’s provided Joshua faces Alexander Povetkin instead of Deontay Wilder as the Russian former world title holder is the current number one contender before all others.

The winner of Whyte v Parker could have a long wait to eventually get their opportunity, and even more so should Joshua battle Wilder before Povetkin and Pulev.

Whyte or Parker would ideally have to find a mandatory route of their own, with only the WBO or WBA now on offer after ‘The Bodysnatcher’ turned down stipulated bouts with the WBC and IBF.

Povetkin could soon square-off against Joshua, leaving a spot open with the World Boxing Organisation.

WBN decided to ask the WBO President whether he’d consider a request for Whyte v Parker to battle it out for an interim version of their title, something which at this point in time Paco Valcarcel stated wouldn’t be available.

“Please be advised the WBO does not sanction Interim Championships except, under extraordinary circumstances which currently, are not present in the Heavyweight Division,” Valcarcel exclusively told World Boxing News.

As Parker is the former WBO champion and Whyte ranked at number two behind Povetkin, it may have made al least sense to allow the pair to fight it out to be the next in line.

Once Povetkin is out of the equation things may change, but for now, the eventual Whyte v Parker victor will be on the outside looking in until the WBO’s mandatory terms are met and Pulev eventually rearranges his heavyweight title fight after missing out on Joshua through injury last year.

Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay