🔗 Share this article Britain's Fabio Wardley Expected to Become World Heavyweight Champion as Oleksandr Usyk Gives Up Championship British boxer the rising star only began boxing at the age of twenty The UK's Fabio Wardley will be upgraded to world boxing champion after the Ukrainian champion opted to give up his championship belt This situation arises after Usyk notified the WBO he would avoid a mandatory title defence against Wardley WBO Statement The championship body announced that the champion decided to give up his championship following careful thought" Usyk still holds the three major championship belts, having overcome Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a double undisputed champion He initially achieved the all-belt title holder in spring 2024 by beating Tyson Fury, before relinquishing one championship five weeks later and deciding not to fight the obligatory contender "Organization head Gustavo Olivieri praised the Ukrainian fighter in a official release" "The organization offers its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Usyk, an unbeaten multi-division champion" "His achievements mark one of the most impressive and memorable of the recent fighting history" The boxing body stated that its doors "will always remain open the fighter and his management" The Ukrainian boxer is an gold medal winner and unbeaten in 24 professional fights Belt Timeline The champion captured the world title in recently by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to successfully defend multiple times In July, the championship body required discussions for a mandatory defence against temporary title holder Parker, only for a Usyk's physical issue to cause the delay of the fight Wardley's Rise But the 30-year-old British fighter, captured the temporary championship from the New Zealander with a major surprise in the championship rounds at the famous London arena last month and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion The WBO is yet to officially confirm the title change but his representative believes it is a certainty "Britain has a new heavyweight world champion and a new star of the sport" "Among the most remarkable journeys during my long career as a boxing representative and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley" "Some huge fights ahead for next year as he protects his championship and establishes his place in the fighting community" Wardley only began boxing aged 20, coming through the unlicensed white-collar scene and has had just 21 professional fights Future Prospects The likely championship upgrade represents an important development in heavyweight boxing The Ukrainian's move to vacate the belt opens new opportunities for additional challengers The sport now expects formal announcement from the championship body Wardley's story from unconventional beginning to title holder continues to inspire many