🔗 Share this article Fabio Wardley Expected to Become World Boxing Champion as Ukrainian Champion Usyk Relinquishes Title British boxer Fabio Wardley entered the sport at the relatively late age England's heavyweight contender is expected to be elevated to world boxing champion after Oleksandr Usyk chose to vacate his title This follows after Usyk notified the WBO he would avoid a mandatory title defence against the British challenger Official Announcement The championship body announced that Usyk chose to vacate his belt after deep reflection" Usyk continues to possess the multiple world titles, having overcome Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in the summer month to become a double undisputed champion He initially achieved the complete unified champion in spring 2024 by defeating the British champion, before vacating another belt a month afterwards and choosing to avoid the obligatory contender "Organization head Gustavo Olivieri praised the Ukrainian fighter in a official release" "Officials expressed its deep appreciation and respect to Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion" "His record represents one of the most remarkable and significant of the recent fighting history" The WBO added that its institution will continue to support Usyk and his team" The Ukrainian boxer is an gold medal winner and perfect in his pro career Belt Timeline Usyk secured the WBO belt in recently by overcoming Joshua and went on to successfully defend multiple times In summer, the boxing organization mandated talks for a obligatory championship fight against temporary title holder Parker, only for a Usyk's physical issue to require rescheduling of the fight British Fighter's Journey But Wardley, won the provisional belt from Parker with a significant shock in the 11th round at London's O2 Arena recently and was ordered to fight the champion before the September deadline The championship body still needs to verify the British fighter's elevation but his promoter Frank Warren believes it is a done deal "England has a fresh boxing champion and a emerging fighting personality" "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 the coming period as he defends his WBO belt and builds his reputation in the boxing world" Wardley only began boxing aged 20, coming through the unlicensed white-collar scene and has had a limited professional record Coming Challenges The anticipated title change signals a major shift in heavyweight boxing Usyk's decision to relinquish the title creates fresh possibilities for other contenders The boxing world now awaits official confirmation from the boxing organization The champion's path from unconventional beginning to world champion continues to capture attention