🔗 Share this article Ipswich boxer Fabio Wardley Poised to Become World Heavyweight Champion as Ukrainian Champion Usyk Relinquishes Title British boxer the rising star started his boxing career at the relatively late age England's Fabio Wardley will be upgraded to WBO heavyweight champion after Usyk chose to vacate his title This development comes after Ukrainian fighter informed the World Boxing Organisation he would avoid a required championship defense against his mandatory opponent Boxing Organization's Position The championship body announced that the champion decided to give up his title after thoughtful consideration" The Ukrainian maintains the three major championship belts, having overcome Daniel Dubois at the famous London venue in the summer month to become a repeat unified title holder He originally secured the four-belt undisputed champion in spring 2024 by overcoming Tyson Fury, before vacating another belt five weeks later and choosing to avoid the obligatory contender "Boxing official the WBO leader called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a announcement" "The organization offers its sincere admiration and thanks to Usyk, an perfect record holder across weight classes" "His career stands as one of the most remarkable and significant of the modern boxing era" The organization continued that its organization will always welcome the fighter and his management" Oleksandr Usyk is an gold medal winner and undefeated through 24 bouts Belt Timeline The champion captured the world title in two years ago by overcoming Joshua and went on to successfully defend multiple times In summer, the boxing organization mandated talks for a mandatory defence against New Zealand's Parker, only for a Usyk's physical issue to require rescheduling of the fight British Fighter's Journey But the 30-year-old British fighter, captured the temporary championship from Parker with a major surprise in the later stages at London's O2 Arena in the previous month and was mandated to face Usyk 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 formality "Britain has a new heavyweight world champion and a rising boxing talent" "One of the most incredible stories during my long career as a boxing representative and I could not be happier for the British fighter" "Major contests coming up for the coming period as he defends his WBO belt and establishes his place in the boxing world" Wardley only began boxing relatively late, developing through alternative boxing and has had just 21 professional fights Coming Challenges The likely championship upgrade signals a major shift in heavyweight boxing Usyk's decision to give up the championship creates fresh possibilities for additional challengers The boxing world now awaits official confirmation from the championship body The British fighter's journey from alternative background to world champion continues to inspire many