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The UK's Fabio Wardley is set to be promoted to WBO heavyweight champion after the Ukrainian champion decided to relinquish his world title

This situation arises after Ukrainian fighter informed the World Boxing Organisation he would avoid a required championship defense against the British challenger

Official Announcement

The boxing organization confirmed that Usyk chose to vacate his belt after deep reflection"

The Ukrainian maintains the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having beaten his British opponent at Wembley Stadium in mid-year to become a repeat unified title holder

He first became the complete unified champion in spring 2024 by overcoming Tyson Fury, before relinquishing one championship five weeks later and opting out of facing the required opponent

"WBO president the WBO leader called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a statement"

"The organization offers its sincere admiration and thanks to Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion"

"His achievements mark one of the most remarkable and significant of the contemporary boxing period"

The boxing body stated that its organization will always welcome the fighter and his management"

Belt Timeline

Usyk won the championship in recently by beating the British star and went on to defend it four times

In July, the WBO had ordered negotiations for a mandatory defence against interim champion Joseph Parker, only for a back injury sustained by Usyk to cause the delay of the contest

New Champion's Path

But Wardley, won the provisional belt from the New Zealander with a major surprise in the later stages at the capital's venue last month and was ordered to fight the champion before the end of September

The championship body still needs to verify Wardley's promotion but his representative believes it is a certainty

"England has a fresh boxing champion and a new star of the sport"

"Among the most remarkable journeys I've seen in my 45 years as a boxing representative and I could not be more pleased for Wardley"

"Significant bouts in the future for 2026 as he defends his WBO belt and creates a true legacy in the fighting community"

Wardley entered the sport aged 20, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had only 21 pro bouts

What's Next

• The likely championship upgrade signals a major shift in the weight class
• The Ukrainian's move to vacate the belt opens new opportunities for more fighters
• The sport now awaits official confirmation from the championship body
• The champion's path from alternative background to world champion continues to inspire many