Fabio Wardley has been elevated to the position of WBO heavyweight champion following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate the title. Usyk, who recently unified his championship credentials by defeating the former IBF champion Daniel Dubois, opted not to defend his title against the undefeated Wardley, instead choosing to relinquish his undisputed status.
This announcement came on Monday from the WBO, which noted that Usyk’s choice to step down was made “after thoughtful consideration.” Despite becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time after defeating Dubois in July, Usyk has opted for a brief reign.
In the wake of this development, the WBO confirmed Wardley’s promotion to “full champion status.” His promoter, Frank Warren, expressed his pride and excitement on social media, highlighting Wardley as a new heavyweight world champion and a rising star in boxing. Warren described the journey of Wardley as one of the most remarkable stories he has witnessed in his 45 years as a promoter, hinting at significant fights on the horizon for 2026 that will shape Wardley’s legacy in the sport.
Wardley, who began his boxing career in white-collar competitions, turned professional in 2017 and has since amassed an impressive record of 17 consecutive wins. His resilience was showcased when he faced Frazer Clarke, securing victory in their rematch after a prior draw. He further solidified his title shot by coming from behind to stop Justis Huni prior to claiming the interim title from Joseph Parker through an 11th-round stoppage last month.
With this achievement, Wardley joins the ranks of an elite group of British fighters who have held the WBO heavyweight title, including notable names such as Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Henry Akinwande, Herbie Hide, and Michael Bentt.