Oleksandr Usyk to feature in legends football match despite postponing world title fight

Oleksandar Usyk has been announced for a charity football game in Lisbon next week despite having to postpone his mandatory world title defence against Joseph Parker due to an injury claim.

The undisputed heavyweight champion, 38, was previously ordered to defend his WBO belt against Parker after beating Daniel Dubois in July; the fight has since been delayed on medical grounds with confirmation coming over the weekend that Usyk's team had been successful in their appeal for a 90-day extension.

Parker, the interim heavyweight champion, will now meet Fabio Wardley in a monstrous heavyweight clash on 25 October at the O2 Arena in London. But while Usyk is not expected to be seen in the ring anytime soon, he will seemingly be participating in a football match next week.

A press release confirmed that Usyk would be 'joining the World Legends squad' on 15 September for the Legends Charity Game, which will put a World XI against a team of legendary former Portugal footballers including Luis Figo and Ricardo Quaresma.

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“Everyone else playing is a former footballer, but when Oleksandr Usyk asks if he can play, you say YES! I am a big fan of Usyk, and it’s a pleasure to involve another icon and legend into the World Legends squad,” said Rasmus Sojmark, the founder and CEO of organisers Sport Global in confirming the news.

Usyk will be promoting the Usyk Foundation, his charity which helps the Ukrainian army and communities in his homeland, when he features in the match.

His upcoming clash with Parker will get a new date in due course. Chairman of the WBO Championship Committee, Luis Batista Salas, wrote a latter to both camps confirming the 90-day extension, saying: “Team Usyk’s petition for a 90-day extension is granted on medical grounds. The 90-day extension shall have a retroactive effect from the date of submission, August 9, 2025.

“Mr. Joseph Parker, Interim Heavyweight Champion, is authorized to defend his interim title against a suitable opponent approved by this Committee, during the extension period. Mr. Oleksandr Usyk shall be mandated to face next the WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion; no intervening bouts will be allowed.

“Failure by Mr. Usyk to comply with this mandate shall trigger this Committee’s intervention to proceed accordingly. This Resolution is final, definitive, and enforceable.”