🔗 Share this article Ipswich boxer Fabio Wardley Poised to Become WBO World Champion as Ukrainian Champion Usyk Relinquishes Title British boxer Fabio Wardley only began boxing at the age of twenty The UK's boxing star will be upgraded to WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk opted to give up his championship belt This follows after Usyk informed the World Boxing Organisation he would not engage in a obligatory title fight against Wardley WBO Statement The championship body announced that Usyk chose to vacate his title after thoughtful consideration" The Ukrainian maintains the multiple world titles, having beaten his British opponent at Wembley Stadium in the summer month to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion He originally secured the all-belt title holder in May 2024 by defeating the British champion, before relinquishing one championship shortly after and deciding not to fight the mandatory challenger "Organization head Olivieri praised the Ukrainian fighter in a announcement" "The organization offers its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Usyk, an perfect record holder across weight classes" "His achievements mark one of the most extraordinary and historic of the recent fighting history" The WBO added that its organization will always welcome the fighter and his management" Oleksandr Usyk is an Olympic champion and perfect in his pro career Title Reign Usyk secured the WBO belt in 2021 by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to successfully defend multiple times In mid-year, the boxing organization mandated talks for a obligatory championship fight against temporary title holder Parker, only for a champion's back problem to cause the delay of the contest Wardley's Rise But Wardley, captured the temporary championship from the New Zealander with a significant shock in the championship rounds at the famous London arena recently and was ordered to fight the champion before the September deadline The boxing organization hasn't formally announced the British fighter's elevation but his representative believes it is a formality "England has a fresh boxing champion and a rising boxing talent" "A truly extraordinary path throughout my decades as a boxing representative and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley" "Major contests coming up for next year as he protects his championship and builds his reputation in the fighting community" Wardley entered the sport at twenty years old, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had a limited professional record Coming Challenges The anticipated title change represents an important development in the division The Ukrainian's move to give up the championship paves the way for additional challengers The sport now anticipates verification from the championship body The champion's path from alternative background to championship status continues to motivate others