Fabio Wardley has been crowned the new WBO heavyweight champion following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate the title instead of defending it against the undefeated British fighter. The WBO officially announced on Monday that Usyk, who holds a record of 24 wins without defeat, has relinquished the championship, paving the way for Wardley’s promotion from interim champion to the full titleholder.
Usyk unified heavyweight titles in July when he delivered an impressive fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois and continues to possess the WBA, WBC, and IBF belts. The WBO highlighted that they received formal communication from Usyk’s team, indicating that Usyk made the careful choice to step aside from the WBO heavyweight championship.
Wardley, boasting a record of 20 wins, one draw, and no defeats, clinched his interim championship last month with a thrilling 11th-round stoppage of Joseph Parker, which set the stage for a mandatory title shot against Usyk by the end of September. However, Usyk’s decision has now resulted in Wardley becoming the sixth British fighter to hold the WBO heavyweight title, joining the ranks of notable champions like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Inside the heavyweight landscape, the potential does not stop with Wardley. Moses Itauma currently holds the No. 1 contender spot in the WBO heavyweight rankings and could be positioned as Wardley’s mandatory challenger. However, both fighters train under Ben Davison, which may complicate a possible bout between them.
While Usyk’s exit from the division opens new doors for Wardley, the future remains uncertain for the Ukrainian superstar, who has established himself as a prominent name in boxing, with an intention to possibly fight again in 2026. This shift not only transforms the championship dynamics within the heavyweight division but also ignites anticipation among boxing fans for potential matchups ahead. Wardley’s ascension exemplifies the ongoing evolution of the sport, where new champions and rivalries continually emerge, ensuring that boxing remains a captivating arena of competition and excellence.