🔗 Share this article Fabio Wardley Poised to Become World Heavyweight Champion as Ukrainian Champion Usyk Vacates Belt English contender the rising star only began boxing at the relatively late age Britain's Fabio Wardley is expected to be elevated to heavyweight title holder after Oleksandr Usyk decided to relinquish his championship belt This situation arises after Ukrainian fighter told boxing authorities he would not engage in a mandatory title defence against the British challenger Official Announcement The championship body announced that Usyk had "elected to relinquish his belt after deep reflection" The Ukrainian maintains the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having defeated Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a double undisputed champion He initially achieved the all-belt title holder in May 2024 by beating Tyson Fury, before vacating another belt shortly after and opting out of facing the mandatory challenger "WBO president Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a announcement" "The WBO extends its deep appreciation and respect to Usyk, an perfect record holder across weight classes" "His achievements mark one of the most impressive and memorable of the recent fighting history" The boxing body stated that its doors "will always remain open the champion and his camp" Oleksandr Usyk is an Olympic champion and unbeaten in 24 professional fights Belt Timeline Usyk secured the championship in 2021 by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to protect his title repeatedly In summer, the championship body required discussions for a obligatory championship fight against interim champion Joseph Parker, only for a Usyk's physical issue to force the postponement of the contest British Fighter's Journey But Wardley, won the provisional belt from Parker with a major surprise in the 11th round at the capital's venue in the previous month and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion The championship body still needs to verify the British fighter's elevation but his representative believes it is a formality "Britain has a recent title holder and a emerging fighting personality" "A truly extraordinary path I've seen in my 45 years as a boxing representative and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley" "Major contests coming up for the coming period as he maintains his title and establishes his place in the boxing world" Wardley entered the sport relatively late, developing through alternative boxing and has had a limited professional record Future Prospects The anticipated title change represents an important development in the weight class The champion's choice to vacate the belt opens new opportunities for additional challengers The fighting community now expects formal announcement from the WBO Wardley's story from unconventional beginning to championship status continues to capture attention