PARKER TELLS USYK TO GO INTO OVERDRIVE

JOSEPH PARKER has urged Oleksandr Usyk to stop holding up the heavyweight division.

- BY JAMES EVANS

The former champion has been in line for another world title shot since he outpointed Zhilei Zhang 18 months ago.

Parker was due to face Daniel Dubois in February for his belt but the Brit pulled out just days before. He instead brutally knocked out Martin Bakole, who had stepped up at two days’ notice.

Kiwi Parker then looked set to face Usyk (inset) but the Ukrainian instead fought Dubois at Wembley, knocking him out in five rounds.