Britain's Fabio Wardley Set to Become World Boxing Champion as Oleksandr Usyk Gives Up Championship

Britain's heavyweight contender is expected to be elevated to world boxing champion after the Ukrainian champion decided to relinquish his championship belt

This development comes after Ukrainian fighter informed the World Boxing Organisation he would not engage in a required championship defense against his mandatory opponent

Boxing Organization's Position

The championship body announced that Usyk chose to vacate his title after thoughtful consideration"

The Ukrainian maintains the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having defeated Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in mid-year to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion

He initially achieved the four-belt undisputed champion in last year by overcoming Tyson Fury, before vacating another belt a month afterwards and opting out of facing the mandatory challenger

"Organization head Gustavo Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a official release"

"Officials expressed its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion"

"His career stands as one of the most remarkable and significant of the modern boxing era"

The boxing body stated that its doors "will always remain open the champion and his camp"

Championship History

The champion captured the championship in 2021 by beating the British star and went on to successfully defend multiple times

In summer, the WBO had ordered negotiations for a obligatory championship fight against New Zealand's Parker, only for a back injury sustained by Usyk to require rescheduling of the bout

New Champion's Path

But Wardley, 30, took the interim title from Parker with a major surprise in the 11th round at the famous London arena last month and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion

The WBO is yet to officially confirm the British fighter's elevation but his representative believes it is a done deal

"Britain has a recent title holder and a new star of the sport"

"Among the most remarkable journeys during my long career as a boxing representative and I could not be happier for the British fighter"

"Some huge fights ahead for next year as he defends his WBO belt and creates a true legacy in the fighting community"

The champion started fighting relatively late, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had just 21 professional fights

Coming Challenges

• The likely championship upgrade marks a significant moment in the weight class
• Usyk's decision to give up the championship paves the way for more fighters
• The fighting community now awaits official confirmation from the WBO
• The champion's path from late starter to championship status continues to motivate others