Joseph Parker calls out Oleksandr Usyk with epic Shania Twain video for boxing world champ
New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker wants a clash with world champion Oleksandr Usyk next up, and has gone to extraordinary lengths to show how much the fight – and Usyk – mean to him
Joseph Parker has called out heavyweight boxing world champion Oleksandr Usyk in remarkable fashion, by singing along with Shania Twain’s ‘You’re Still the One’ while dancing on a beach.
Parker’s epic call-out to Ukraine’s Usyk follows on from his Ed Sheeran-inspired effort to land a rematch with Britain’s Anthony Joshua last year.
The New Zealander is firmly in the frame for a clash with WBO, WBA (Super) and WBO title holder Usyk after the WBO ordered the champ to take part in a mandatory defence of his belt against Parker after the challenger dealt with Martin Bakole last month.
Parker was due to fight Brit Daniel Dubois for his IBF crown, but after he pulled out through illness leading up to the fight, Parker took on Bakole and stopped him inside two rounds.
And now Parker has turned his attention to a bout with Usyk, who is fresh off back-to-back wins over Tyson Fury in 2024.
Dressed in white and black, Parker mimics along to pop sensation Twain’s classic hit with a backing group of his own, with cuts away to both fighters downing their opponents over the years, celebrations of their wins, classic dances and Parker having written Usyk’s “I’m very feel” catchphrase in the sand as the tide rolls in.
A potential rematch for Usyk against Dubois remains on track, though. Usyk beat Dubois in 2023 with a ninth-round stoppage in his last fight before the double-header with Fury.
Last month, Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, said: “You have to look at the next move and I think that will be either Usyk in an all-belt affair for the four belts or maybe AJ [Anthony Joshua]. We will have to work that out.
“We will talk through the options as a team and make a decision. Everyone’s view is important but the most important view is Daniel’s because he is the one getting into the ring and he makes the ultimate decision.”
Parker’s Usyk call-out received a mixed reaction, but the overwhelming majority of fans loved it. One said: “No one in the heavyweight division deserves a shot more!”
Another added: “Joe Parker has to be the funniest boxer today. Usyk it’s simple fight or vacate!”
And one fan said the call-out alone deserved a fight, adding: “Give him the fight man. This top tier calling out.” But others weren’t impressed, with one saying: “The most embarrassing cringey thing I think I’ve ever seen.”
