Fabio Wardley Poised to Become WBO World Champion as Ukrainian Champion Usyk Gives Up Championship

The UK's boxing star will be upgraded to WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk chose to vacate his championship belt

This development comes after the champion notified the WBO he would avoid a mandatory title defence against Wardley

WBO Statement

The boxing organization confirmed that the champion decided to give up his title after thoughtful consideration"

The Ukrainian maintains the three major championship belts, having overcome Daniel Dubois at the national stadium in July to become a double undisputed champion

He initially achieved the complete unified champion in spring 2024 by defeating the British champion, before giving up the IBF title a month afterwards and choosing to avoid the required opponent

"Boxing official Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a official release"

"The organization offers its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Usyk, an perfect record holder across weight classes"

"His achievements mark one of the most impressive and memorable of the recent fighting history"

The boxing body stated that its organization will always welcome the champion and his camp"

Title Reign

The champion captured the world title in two years ago by overcoming Joshua and went on to protect his title repeatedly

In mid-year, the WBO had ordered negotiations for a required title defense against New Zealand's Parker, only for a champion's back problem to cause the delay of the contest

British Fighter's Journey

But Wardley, 30, took the interim title from Parker with a huge upset in the later stages at the capital's venue in the previous month and was ordered to fight the champion before the end of September

The boxing organization hasn't formally announced the title change but his promoter Frank Warren believes it is a done deal

"England has a recent title holder and a new star of the sport"

"A truly extraordinary path throughout my decades as a sports manager and I could not be more pleased for Wardley"

"Significant bouts in the future for next year as he protects his championship and establishes his place in the fighting community"

Wardley only began boxing aged 20, developing through alternative boxing and has had a limited professional record

What's Next

• The likely championship upgrade signals a major shift in the weight class
• Usyk's decision to relinquish the title paves the way for additional challengers
• The sport now expects formal announcement from the boxing organization
• The British fighter's journey from alternative background to title holder continues to motivate others