Wardley to be world champion as Usyk gives up belt

Britain's Fabio Wardley is expected to be elevated to WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk decided to relinquish his title.

BBC reports that it comes after Usyk informed the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) he would not proceed with a mandatory title defence against Wardley.

The WBO says Usyk had elected to relinquish his title after thoughtful consideration.

Usyk still holds the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles, having beaten Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

He first became the four-belt undisputed champion in May 2024 by beating Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title five weeks later and deciding not to fight the mandatory challenger.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a statement.

Olivieri says the WBO extends its profound respect, admiration, and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion.

He says Usyk’s career stands among the most extraordinary and historic of the modern boxing era.

The WBO added that its doors will always remain open to Usyk and his team.

Source: BBC