In a dramatic shift for the heavyweight division, British boxer Fabio Wardley has been officially crowned the new WBO world champion.
Usyk Relinquishes the Crown
The title became available after the undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk, made the decision to relinquish the WBO belt. This news was confirmed to the public on Monday 17 November 2025 by Wardley's promoter, Frank Warren, who made the announcement via social media that evening.
Usyk had cemented his status as the undisputed heavyweight king with a knockout victory over Daniel Dubois in their highly anticipated rematch at Wembley Stadium in July.
Wardley's Path to Glory
Wardley earned his mandatory challenger status for the WBO title through a significant victory of his own. Last month, he secured a hard-fought win against the experienced Joseph Parker at the O2 Arena.
This triumph positioned him as the next in line for a shot at Usyk's crown, a shot that has now come without the need for a fight due to the champion's decision to vacate.
A New Champion and a Divided Landscape
The WBO's move sees Fabio Wardley elevated from mandatory challenger to the full WBO champion. This instantly places the Brit at the pinnacle of the sport.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk remains the holder of the other major world titles, keeping the IBF, WBA, and WBC belts in his possession. This development effectively ends his brief reign as the undisputed champion and creates a new, fragmented landscape at the top of the heavyweight division, with Wardley now a major player.
