🔗 Share this article Ipswich boxer Fabio Wardley Set to Become World Boxing Champion as Ukrainian Champion Usyk Gives Up Championship Ipswich fighter the rising star started his boxing career at the age of twenty England's Fabio Wardley will be upgraded to heavyweight title holder after Usyk opted to give up his title This follows after the champion informed the World Boxing Organisation he would not proceed with a obligatory title fight against his mandatory opponent WBO Statement The championship body announced that Usyk chose to vacate his title after thoughtful consideration" Usyk still holds the three major championship belts, having overcome Daniel Dubois at the famous London venue in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion He initially achieved the all-belt title holder in spring 2024 by defeating the British champion, before relinquishing one championship a month afterwards and choosing to avoid the mandatory challenger "Boxing official the WBO leader described Usyk as exceptional in a official release" "The organization offers its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion" "His record represents one of the most extraordinary and historic of the contemporary boxing period" The boxing body stated 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 Usyk secured the WBO belt in recently by beating the British star and went on to protect his title repeatedly In summer, the championship body required discussions for a required title defense against New Zealand's Parker, only for a champion's back problem to require rescheduling of the contest New Champion's Path But the 30-year-old British fighter, took the interim title from the New Zealander with a major surprise in the 11th round at the famous London arena in the previous month and was ordered to fight the champion before the September deadline The boxing organization hasn't formally announced the title change but his promoter Frank Warren believes it is a done deal "The UK has a new heavyweight world champion and a emerging fighting personality" "One of the most incredible stories throughout my decades as a boxing representative and I could not be more pleased for Wardley" "Major contests coming up for 2026 as he defends his WBO belt and establishes his place in the sport" Wardley entered the sport at twenty years old, coming through the unlicensed white-collar scene and has had just 21 professional fights Coming Challenges The likely championship upgrade represents an important development in the division The Ukrainian's move to give up the championship opens new opportunities for other contenders The boxing world now expects formal announcement from the WBO Wardley's story from late starter to championship status continues to motivate others