A rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois has moved a step closer after the WBO received a petition to allow the undisputed heavyweight championship clash to take place next, The Ring has learned.

Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs), The Ring, WBO, WBA and WBC champion, has a mandatory to fulfil with the WBO in 'interim' titleholder Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs).

As is custom, however, unification fights trump mandatories and if Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs), the IBF champion, and Usyk agree to fight each other next, Parker will have to wait for his shot.

Now the WBO's president Gustavo Olivieri has confirmed a petition has been lodged for Usyk vs. Dubois to take place next, with a summer date being targeted by both sides.

An 'official decision' will be made imminently.

Olivieri told The Ring: "Presently, there is a petition before the Championship Committee to consider a unification between Usyk/Dubois to consolidate the division arguing that it would take precedence over the Parker Mandatory.

"At this time, we have not rendered a ruling. When the Committee determines appropriate, we will formally announce the ruling."

Dubois finds himself in the same situation with the IBF, who, on April 22, will order their champion to defend against Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) this summer.

But 'Dynamite' recently told The Ring his primary focus lies with trying to secure an undisputed heavyweight title fight with Usyk in July.

Parker was supposed to face Dubois for his IBF title in February but the Brit pulled out on fight week with illness, leaving him to defend his WBO 'interim' title against Martin Bakole, knocking him out in two rounds.

The New Zealander hasn't been involved in a world title fight since 2018, when he lost his WBO belt to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff.

If the WBO decides to rule in favour of Usyk vs. Dubois next, then Parker will have to wait a little longer.

Usyk and Dubois fought in August 2023 for the unified heavyweight titles and it was the Ukrainian who came out on top with a ninth-round stoppage win.