🔗 Share this article Fabio Wardley Expected to Become WBO World Champion as Usyk Relinquishes Title English contender the heavyweight prospect only began boxing at the relatively late age The UK's Fabio Wardley will be upgraded to world boxing champion after the Ukrainian champion opted to give up his title This follows after the champion informed the World Boxing Organisation he would avoid a mandatory title defence against the British challenger Boxing Organization's Position The WBO stated that Usyk chose to vacate his belt after deep reflection" Usyk still holds the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having beaten his British opponent at Wembley Stadium in mid-year to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion He originally secured the complete unified champion in spring 2024 by defeating the British champion, before giving up the IBF title a month afterwards and opting out of facing the required opponent "WBO president Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a announcement" "Officials expressed its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Usyk, an perfect record holder across weight classes" "His achievements mark one of the most remarkable and significant of the modern boxing era" The organization continued that its organization will always welcome the fighter and his management" Oleksandr Usyk is an Olympic gold medallist and undefeated through 24 bouts Belt Timeline Usyk secured the championship in recently by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to defend it four times In July, the championship body required discussions for a required title defense against New Zealand's Parker, only for a champion's back problem to require rescheduling of the bout New Champion's Path But Wardley, 30, captured the temporary championship from Parker with a huge upset in the 11th round at the famous London arena last month and was ordered to fight the champion before the September deadline The boxing organization hasn't formally announced Wardley's promotion but his representative believes it is a certainty "The UK has a recent title holder and a new star of the sport" "One of the most incredible stories I've seen in my 45 years as a sports manager and I could not be more pleased for Wardley" "Major contests coming up for next year as he maintains his title and establishes his place in the sport" Wardley only began boxing relatively late, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had just 21 professional fights Future Prospects The anticipated title change signals a major shift in heavyweight boxing The Ukrainian's move to relinquish the title opens new opportunities for more fighters The sport now expects formal announcement from the championship body The British fighter's journey from unconventional beginning to championship status continues to inspire many