Parker promoter says Usyk's camp never communicated with him about fight

As previously reported by FightNights.com, Alexander Krassyuk, the promoter of undisputed cruiserweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk, claimed on Saturday that two heavyweight world title contenders had rejected an opportunity to fight him.

However, the promoter of one of the fighters says Usyk's team never communicated with him about facing Usyk.

David Higgins, of Duco Events, tweeted in response to our report, "As Joseph Parker's promoter, I confirm I have never received any communication from the Usyk camp regarding a fight so your story is false."

Higgins also said in November that a fight with Usyk made little economic sense.

"Our team and Joseph Parker wouldn't shy away from any fight or any opponent that is the right step in the right direction towards unifying the heavyweight title," Higgins told Stuff.

"The issue with Usyk is he has more work to do in the UK to build a fan base. Where would you hold it? Usyk has fought in the UK once, he's not British so there isn't a local fan base which means the economics of the fight don't stack up yet. It's too early economically for that fight.

"It could well happen but it could be down the track when Usyk has built up a following and therefore the value of the event is a lot higher."

Krassyuk also said that Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller turned down a fight with Usyk.

Parker (25-2, 19 KO's), a former heavyweight world titleholder, knocked out Alexander Flores (17-2-1, 15 KO's) in the third round in December to get back in the winners' column after suffering back-to-back defeats in 2018.

Parker lost his WBO belt in March when he dropped a unanimous decision to three-belt heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua, and was also outpointed by Dillian Whyte in July. However, Parker was motivated to cap off a tumultuous year with a victory.

Usyk (16-0, 12 KO's), 31, of Ukraine, who won the heavyweight gold medal at the 2012 Olympic games in London, beat Krzysztof Glowacki -- in Poland -- to win the cruiserweight world title in just his 10th professional fight. The victory broke the division record set by all-time great Evander Holyfield, who won the WBA cruiserweight title in his 12th pro bout. Holyfield has been widely regarded as the greatest cruiserweight of all-time, but after a historic 2018 campaign, Usyk has rightfully earned a spot in the conversation.

Usyk won the Muhammad Ali Trophy as the victor of the eight-man World Boxing Super Series tournament to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion, and defeated all three of his opponents in their home countries. He also became just the third undisputed champion in the four-belt era since 2004, joining Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, and top pound-for-pound elite Terence Crawford.