🔗 Share this article Fabio Wardley Poised to Become World Boxing Champion as Ukrainian Champion Usyk Gives Up Championship Ipswich fighter the rising star entered the sport at the relatively late age England's boxing star is expected to be elevated to heavyweight title holder after Oleksandr Usyk opted to give up his championship belt This development comes after Usyk notified the WBO he would avoid a required championship defense against the British challenger Official Announcement The boxing organization confirmed that the champion decided to give up his championship following careful thought" Usyk still holds the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having defeated Daniel Dubois at the famous London venue in the summer month to become a double undisputed champion He initially achieved the four-belt undisputed champion in May 2024 by overcoming Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title a month afterwards and choosing to avoid the obligatory contender "WBO president Gustavo Olivieri described Usyk as exceptional in a statement" "Officials expressed its sincere admiration and thanks to Usyk, an unbeaten multi-division champion" "His record represents one of the most remarkable and significant of the modern boxing era" The boxing body stated that its doors "will always remain open the champion and his camp" Usyk is an gold medal winner and perfect in his pro career Belt Timeline Usyk secured the WBO belt in 2021 by beating the British star and went on to successfully defend multiple times In July, the boxing organization mandated talks for a required title defense against temporary title holder Parker, only for a back injury sustained by Usyk to require rescheduling of the fight British Fighter's Journey But the 30-year-old British fighter, won the provisional belt from his opponent with a major surprise in the championship rounds at London's O2 Arena in the previous month and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion The championship body still needs to verify the title change but his representative believes it is a certainty "The UK has a recent title holder and a emerging fighting personality" "A truly extraordinary path I've seen in my 45 years as a sports manager and I could not be happier for the British fighter" "Some huge fights ahead for 2026 as he maintains his title and establishes his place in the fighting community" Wardley entered the sport aged 20, developing through alternative boxing and has had a limited professional record What's Next The anticipated title change signals a major shift in the division The champion's choice to give up the championship paves the way for other contenders The sport now awaits official confirmation from the championship body The British fighter's journey from late starter to world champion continues to inspire many