In a dramatic shift for the heavyweight division, the undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk has officially vacated his WBO title, clearing the path for Britain's Fabio Wardley to be crowned the new full champion.
A Champion's Decision
The move comes after the undefeated Ukrainian, who became the undisputed heavyweight champion by defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024 and then again after stopping Daniel Dubois, opted not to face the mandatory challenge from Wardley. Usyk was obligated to fight the winner of the Joseph Parker vs. Wardley bout, which took place in October and resulted in a victory for the British fighter.
Following his win, an elated Wardley stated, 'That has been the goal for several years. That has been all I've wanted.' However, the opportunity to face Usyk was denied, and the WBO has now formally elevated Wardley from his interim champion status to the official WBO Heavyweight Champion of the world.
The WBO's Official Stance
The World Boxing Organization released a statement confirming the development. 'The WBO announced today that it has received formal communication from Oleksandr Usyk's team regarding the future of the WBO Heavyweight Championship,' the statement read. 'After careful consideration, Usyk has decided to relinquish the title.'
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri expressed deep respect for the departing champion, saying, 'The WBO extends its deepest respect, admiration, and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-time undisputed WBO world champion, and a fighter who has won and exemplified all the rights, privileges, and honours associated with the distinction of WBO Super Champion.' He added, 'We accept and respect his decision to vacate the WBO World Heavyweight Super Championship. This is not a goodbye, but – as his team has expressed – a respectful pause.'
What's Next for the Division?
At 38 years old, Usyk fights on average once a year, and his future in the sport remains unclear following his victory over Dubois at Wembley in July. He had previously cited an injury as a reason for not first defending against Parker, but no specific reason was given for this latest decision to vacate the belt.
For Fabio Wardley, this promotion is the culmination of a spectacular rise. He remains undefeated, with 19 of his 20 wins coming by knockout. His sole draw, against Frazier Clarke, was avenged with a first-round knockout in their rematch. Wardley took to social media to celebrate his success, simply posting on X: '#AndTheNew'.
This title change marks a significant moment for British boxing, placing a major world championship belt firmly in the hands of a domestic fighter whose career continues on an impressive upward trajectory.
