🔗 Share this article Ipswich boxer Fabio Wardley Expected to Become WBO World Champion as Ukrainian Champion Usyk Gives Up Championship British boxer the rising star entered the sport at the relatively late age Britain's heavyweight contender is expected to be elevated to WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk opted to give up his championship belt This situation arises after Ukrainian fighter notified the WBO he would not engage in a mandatory title defence against the British challenger Boxing Organization's Position The WBO stated that Usyk had "elected to relinquish his championship following careful thought" The Ukrainian maintains the three major championship belts, having overcome Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion He initially achieved the four-belt undisputed champion in last year by overcoming Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title five weeks later and choosing to avoid the mandatory challenger "Boxing official Olivieri praised the Ukrainian fighter in a statement" "The organization offers its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion" "His record represents one of the most impressive and memorable of the recent fighting history" The organization continued that its doors "will always remain open the champion and his camp" Oleksandr Usyk is an Olympic champion and unbeaten in 24 professional fights Title Reign The champion captured the WBO belt in recently by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to defend it four times In mid-year, the boxing organization mandated talks for a mandatory defence against interim champion Joseph Parker, only for a champion's back problem to cause the delay of the fight British Fighter's Journey But the 30-year-old British fighter, won the provisional belt from his opponent with a major surprise in the later stages at the capital's venue recently and was mandated to face Usyk before the month's conclusion The championship body still needs to verify the title change but his promoter Frank Warren believes it is a formality "Britain 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 sports manager and I could not be happier for the British fighter" "Some huge fights ahead for 2026 as he defends his WBO belt and builds his reputation in the boxing world" The champion started fighting aged 20, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had only 21 pro bouts What's Next The likely championship upgrade marks a significant moment in the division The Ukrainian's move to vacate the belt paves the way for additional challengers The boxing world now expects formal announcement from the WBO Wardley's story from alternative background to title holder continues to inspire many