🔗 Share this article Britain's Fabio Wardley Set to Become WBO World Champion as Oleksandr Usyk Gives Up Championship Ipswich fighter Fabio Wardley started his boxing career at the relatively late age Britain's heavyweight contender will be upgraded to world boxing champion after Usyk decided to relinquish his championship belt This situation arises after Ukrainian fighter informed the World Boxing Organisation he would avoid a required championship defense against Wardley Official Announcement The WBO stated that the champion decided to give up his championship following careful thought" Usyk still holds the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having beaten his British opponent at the famous London venue in July to become a repeat unified title holder He first became the complete unified champion in spring 2024 by beating Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title shortly after and deciding not to fight the obligatory contender "Organization head Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a announcement" "The WBO extends its deep appreciation and respect to the Ukrainian champion, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion" "His record represents one of the most impressive and memorable of the recent fighting history" The boxing body stated that its organization will always welcome the fighter and his management" Oleksandr Usyk is an gold medal winner and undefeated through 24 bouts Belt Timeline Usyk secured the WBO belt in 2021 by beating the British star and went on to successfully defend multiple times In summer, the WBO had ordered negotiations for a mandatory defence against temporary title holder Parker, only for a Usyk's physical issue to force the postponement of the contest New Champion's Path But Wardley, won the provisional belt from the New Zealander with a significant shock in the championship rounds at the capital's venue recently and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion The boxing organization hasn't formally announced the British fighter's elevation but his promoter Frank Warren believes it is a certainty "Britain has a new heavyweight world champion and a new star of the sport" "Among the most remarkable journeys throughout my decades as a sports manager and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley" "Some huge fights ahead for the coming period as he maintains his title and builds his reputation in the sport" Wardley entered the sport relatively late, developing through alternative boxing and has had a limited professional record Future Prospects The likely championship upgrade represents an important development in heavyweight boxing The Ukrainian's move to relinquish the title opens new opportunities for additional challengers The fighting community now anticipates verification from the WBO Wardley's story from alternative background to title holder continues to motivate others