🔗 Share this article

England's heavyweight contender will be upgraded to heavyweight title holder after the Ukrainian champion chose to vacate his title

This development comes after the champion notified the WBO he would not proceed with a mandatory title defence against his mandatory opponent

WBO Statement

The championship body announced that the champion decided to give up 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 initially achieved the all-belt title holder in May 2024 by overcoming Tyson Fury, before vacating another belt shortly after and choosing to avoid the obligatory contender

"WBO president Olivieri described Usyk as exceptional in a announcement"

"The organization offers its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an perfect record holder across weight classes"

"His career stands as one of the most remarkable and significant of the contemporary boxing period"

The WBO added that its institution will continue to support the fighter and his management"

Championship History

Usyk secured the world title in two years ago by beating the British star and went on to defend it four 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

British Fighter's Journey

But Wardley, took the interim title from Parker with a significant shock in the later stages at the capital's venue last month and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion

The WBO is yet to officially confirm the title change but his promoter Frank Warren believes it is a formality

"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 more pleased for Wardley"

"Major contests coming up for next year as he defends his WBO belt and builds his reputation in the fighting community"

Wardley only began boxing aged 20, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had just 21 professional fights

Coming Challenges

• The likely championship upgrade represents an important development in the division
• The champion's choice to vacate the belt creates fresh possibilities for other contenders
• The fighting community now expects formal announcement from the boxing organization
• The British fighter's journey from late starter to world champion continues to capture attention