🔗 Share this article Ipswich boxer Fabio Wardley Poised to Become WBO World Champion as Oleksandr Usyk Gives Up Championship English contender the rising star entered the sport at the relatively late age The UK's Fabio Wardley will be upgraded to heavyweight title holder after the Ukrainian champion chose to vacate his championship belt This development comes after Usyk told boxing authorities he would not proceed with a mandatory title defence against the British challenger Official Announcement The WBO stated that Usyk chose to vacate his title after thoughtful consideration" The Ukrainian maintains the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having defeated Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion He originally secured the four-belt undisputed champion in last year by beating Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title shortly after and deciding not to fight the required opponent "Organization head Gustavo Olivieri praised the Ukrainian fighter in a statement" "The WBO extends its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion" "His achievements mark one of the most extraordinary and historic of the recent fighting history" The WBO added that its institution will continue to support the champion and his camp" Usyk is an Olympic gold medallist and undefeated through 24 bouts Belt Timeline The champion captured the world title in 2021 by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to successfully defend multiple times In summer, the boxing organization mandated talks for a required title defense against New Zealand's Parker, only for a champion's back problem to cause the delay of the fight New Champion's Path But Wardley, took the interim title from his opponent with a major surprise in the 11th round at the famous London arena recently and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion The boxing organization hasn't formally announced the title change but his promoter Frank Warren believes it is a done deal "Britain has a recent title holder and a new star of the sport" "A truly extraordinary path during my long career as a sports manager and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley" "Major contests coming up for 2026 as he maintains his title and creates a true legacy in the fighting community" Wardley only began boxing at twenty years old, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had a limited professional record Coming Challenges Wardley's expected promotion represents an important development in the division Usyk's decision to relinquish the title creates fresh possibilities for more fighters The sport now anticipates verification from the championship body The British fighter's journey from late starter to title holder continues to inspire many