🔗 Share this article Britain's Fabio Wardley Expected to Become WBO World Champion as Oleksandr Usyk Vacates Belt Ipswich fighter the rising star started his boxing career at the relatively late age The UK's boxing star is set to be promoted to heavyweight title holder after Oleksandr Usyk decided to relinquish his title This development comes after Ukrainian fighter told boxing authorities he would not proceed with a required championship defense against the British challenger Official Announcement The championship body announced that the champion decided to give up his championship following careful thought" Usyk continues to possess the three major championship belts, having overcome Daniel Dubois at the famous London venue in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion He initially achieved the all-belt title holder in May 2024 by defeating the British champion, before giving up the IBF title five weeks later and deciding not to fight the required opponent "Organization head Gustavo Olivieri praised the Ukrainian fighter in a statement" "Officials expressed its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to the Ukrainian champion, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion" "His career stands as one of the most remarkable and significant of the contemporary boxing period" The boxing body stated that its institution will continue to support the champion and his camp" Usyk is an Olympic champion and perfect in his pro career Championship History The champion captured the championship in 2021 by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to defend it four times In mid-year, the championship body required discussions for a required title defense against temporary title holder Parker, only for a champion's back problem to cause the delay of the contest Wardley's Rise But Wardley, took the interim title from Parker with a significant shock in the championship rounds at London's O2 Arena recently and was required to challenge Usyk before the month's conclusion The boxing organization hasn't formally announced Wardley's promotion but his representative believes it is a formality "Britain has a recent title holder and a rising boxing talent" "A truly extraordinary path I've seen in my 45 years as a promoter and I could not be happier for the British fighter" "Major contests coming up for the coming period as he protects his championship and builds his reputation in the sport" Wardley only began boxing aged 20, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had a limited professional record What's Next The likely championship upgrade represents an important development in the weight class The Ukrainian's move to vacate the belt creates fresh possibilities for other contenders The fighting community now expects formal announcement from the championship body The champion's path from alternative background to world champion continues to capture attention